Income Taxes

Broadcast ad spending on Amendments 4 and 5 is approaching $9 million as the days run down before the Aug. 4 vote.

Amendment 5, to be considered by Missouri voters in August, would give the legislature the power to replace the state income tax with expanded sales taxes. Critics say it would be difficult to make up the lost revenue without imposing taxes on healthcare.

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.

In the Aug. 4 primary election, Missouri voters can weigh in on Amendments 1, 2, 4 and 5. The proposals cover parks funding, election of tax assessors, how things get on a statewide ballot and the elimination of the state income tax.

On Aug. 4, voters in Kansas and Missouri will decide multiple, consequential ballot issues, vote in primaries for U.S. House and Senate seats, plus decide local and county-level races on both sides of the state line.

Ads over amendments 4 and 5 are beginning to flood the state, but some major donors behind the campaigns may never be known.

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.

Voters in Missouri will decide whether the state can expand sales and uses taxes, in order to eliminate the income tax. Local government officials worry about how it will impact businesses, consumers, revenue for services like parks and transit, and budget planning.

Opponents argue that the proposal to expand sales and use taxes, known as Amendment 5, violated constitutional prohibitions on addressing more than one subject. They plan to appeal the ruling.