income tax cuts

Despite the backing of Gov. Mike Kehoe, proposed constitutional amendments that would have made it more difficult for citizens to change the constitution and start the process of eliminating the state income tax were overwhelmingly rejected by Missouri voters.

While Republicans are considering how they want to approach tax cuts as well as making it harder to amend the constitution, Democrats plan to use the Republican lawmakers' support of 4 and 5 against them.

With Amendment 5’s failure, state lawmakers are now unable to expand sales and use taxes in order to eliminate the state income tax.

Amendment 5 has garnered attention and advertising dollars aimed at swaying undecided Missouri voters. KC Media Collective partner The Beacon analyzed ads about the proposal to examine the claims and iron out what the constitutional amendment would actually do.

Gov. Mike Kehoe has been pushing to phase-out the state's income tax, and now voters will get to decide in Tuesday's election. But Amendment 5 leaves many unknowns: How will the legislature will expand sales and use taxes? Will the change actually spur more business?

If approved by Missouri voters on Aug. 4, 2026, Amendment 5 would require the Missouri General Assembly to phase out the income tax based on revenue growth. The amendment also authorizes lawmakers to expand sales and use taxes to replace the lost income tax revenue.

A statement signed by four Missouri diocese leaders doesn't specifically tell voters to reject the August ballot issue, which would allow expanded sales taxes and end the state income tax. But the bishops say it will disproportionately harm people with lower incomes.

A group of Kansas City parents has launched a campaign ahead of the Aug. 4 vote on a constitutional amendment to phase out Missouri’s income tax out of concerns that it will cut state funding for schools.

A parent-led coalition turning Missouri's upcoming income-tax repeal measure into a public education fight, warning that state aid is already falling short.

Gov. Mike Kehoe says "out-of-state special interests" are influencing citizen-led efforts to amend the state constitution. His own ballot measure, a push to eliminate the state income tax, has received $1.9 million from a mysterious Delaware nonprofit.

A new report from Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says Missouri is facing a budget cliff. Gov. Mike Kehoe says he thinks the state’s budget needs to shrink as a result, and suggests some nonprofits or local municipalities could fund some programs instead.

Amendment 5, which is aimed at eliminating the income tax, will stay on the August 4 ballot. But the court ruled that the summary must ensure voters know they are giving lawmakers authority to impose new sales taxes without current constitutional restrictions.