Missouri Tax Brackets
How to read this: Only the income within each bracket is taxed at that rate. Your total tax is the sum across brackets.
| Income Range | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $1,348 | 0.00% |
| $1,348 - $2,696 | 2.00% |
| $2,696 - $4,044 | 2.50% |
| $4,044 - $5,392 | 3.00% |
| $5,392 - $6,740 | 3.50% |
| $6,740 - $8,088 | 4.00% |
| $8,088 - $9,436 | 4.50% |
| $9,436+ | 4.70% |
Brackets shown for single filers. Married filing jointly brackets may differ. Use the calculator above to see your specific situation.
Key Facts That Affect Your Take-Home Pay
- Missouri uses a progressive income tax system with nine brackets, starting at 0% for the first $1,121 of income (for all filing statuses) and escalating gradually through small increments to a top rate of 4% for income above $8,968, making Missouri's bracket structure relatively complex with many brackets but a low top rate compared to other progressive states.
- Missouri's progressive brackets are extremely compressed with many small incremental brackets (0%, 2%, 2.25%, 2.5%, 2.75%, 3%, 3.25%, 3.5%, 4%), meaning taxpayers move through many brackets quickly, but the top rate is relatively low (4%) compared to other progressive states. For a $75,000 earner, most income is taxed at the top 4% rate, making the effective rate very close to 4%.
- Missouri does not impose income taxes beyond the state level, so your withholding doesn't change based on work location. All Missouri residents have the same income tax structure: only the state progressive brackets apply.
- Missouri does not tax Social Security or retirement income (pensions, 401(k) withdrawals, IRA distributions) for residents, making the state attractive for retirees despite the progressive income tax structure. The zero-percent bracket for the first $1,121 also benefits retirees with lower fixed incomes, though the benefit is minimal due to the small amount.
What People Get Wrong
“Progressive tax with nine brackets means I'll pay high rates in Missouri.”
Missouri's progressive system starts at 0% for the first $1,121 of income, and the top rate is only 4%: lower than most flat-tax states like Illinois (4.95%) or Massachusetts (5.0%). The many brackets (nine) create complexity, but the rates are low (0%-4%). A $75,000 earner pays an effective rate very close to 4% (~ $3,000 annually), while the same earner in a flat-tax state like Illinois would pay $3,713 (4.95% flat). Missouri's top rate is actually competitive with or lower than many states.
“The nine brackets mean my tax is complex and expensive.”
While Missouri has nine brackets (more than most states), the rates are relatively low (0%-4%) and the brackets are compressed, meaning most taxpayers quickly reach the top 4% rate. The many brackets create complexity on paper, but most earners effectively pay close to 4% on most income. The low top rate (4%) is actually competitive with or lower than many flat-tax and progressive states.
“Missouri has low taxes because of the low 4% top rate.”
While Missouri's top income tax rate is relatively low (4%), the state compensates with very high sales taxes (up to 10.85% in some areas, among the highest combined rates in the nation). A big spender in Missouri might pay more in sales tax than they'd pay in income tax in some other states. Lower-income residents who spend a large percentage of income on taxable goods face a particularly regressive tax burden. Factor in both income tax and sales tax when evaluating Missouri's tax burden.
