Missouri's top income tax rate was recently cut to 4.7% — one of the lower rates in the Midwest. See your exact take-home after all federal and state taxes.
Missouri has nine income tax brackets, but the top 4.7% rate kicks in at just $7,847 of Missouri taxable income. After deducting the federal standard deduction ($16,100 single) and personal exemption ($2,100 single), most working Missourians pay close to 4.7% on the bulk of their income. The top rate was reduced from 4.95% in 2023 and 5.4% before that.
Missouri has eight income tax brackets, but the top 4.7% rate kicks in at just $7,847 of Missouri taxable income. After the standard deductions most workers claim, nearly all of your income above that threshold is taxed at 4.7% — making Missouri's income tax function like a near-flat tax in practice. The brackets at the bottom (1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, etc.) cover only a small sliver of income before you hit the top rate.
Missouri workers in Kansas City or St. Louis face a city earnings tax on top of state income tax. Kansas City charges a 1% earnings tax on all wages earned within city limits — this applies to both residents and non-residents who work in Kansas City. St. Louis has the same 1% earnings tax structure. Unlike Indiana's county taxes (which are based on where you live), Missouri's city earnings taxes apply to anyone who physically works in those cities, even if you live in the suburbs. A suburban Kansas City resident working downtown owes the 1% city earnings tax even though they don't live there.
Missouri allows you to deduct your federal standard deduction from state taxable income — a relatively unusual feature. Missouri taxable income is calculated as: gross wages, minus your federal standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 married), minus a Missouri personal exemption ($2,100 single / $4,200 married). This combination means a single filer earning $60,000 only has about $41,800 of Missouri taxable income, the bulk of which is taxed at 4.7%.
Missouri has been gradually reducing its top rate — it was 5.4% not long ago and has been cut multiple times. The state does not tax Social Security income for most residents, and exempts 100% of Social Security benefits for those with income below certain thresholds, making Missouri reasonably competitive for retirees among Midwestern states.
| MO Taxable Income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $1,121 | 1.5% |
| $1,121 – $2,242 | 2.0% |
| $2,242 – $3,363 | 2.5% |
| $3,363 – $4,484 | 3.0% |
| $4,484 – $5,605 | 3.5% |
| $5,605 – $6,726 | 4.0% |
| $6,726 – $7,847 | 4.5% |
| Over $7,847 | 4.7% |
MO taxable income = gross − pretax deductions − federal standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 married) − personal exemption ($2,100 single / $4,200 married). Because brackets top out at $7,847, nearly all income beyond deductions is taxed at 4.7%.
Estimates only. MO progressive brackets up to 4.7%. Standard deduction follows federal. Personal exemption $2,100 (single) / $4,200 (married). Consult a tax professional for advice.
| Gross Pay (this check) | $0.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | −$0.00 |
| Missouri State Tax | −$0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$0.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$0.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $0.00 |
Missouri has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 4.7% for 2026. The brackets are very narrow — the top rate applies to all Missouri taxable income above just $7,847. Since most earners have far more taxable income than that after deductions, the effective rate is close to 4.7% for most working Missourians. The rate was reduced from 4.95% and has been trending downward in recent years.
Missouri uses the same standard deduction as the federal government: $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married filing jointly in 2026. In addition, Missouri allows a personal exemption of $2,100 (single) or $4,200 (married). So a single earner making $75,000 has Missouri taxable income of $75,000 − $16,100 − $2,100 = $56,800, on which the 4.7% top rate applies to the bulk.
A Missouri paycheck has four withholding items: federal income tax (10%–37% progressive), Missouri state income tax (up to 4.7%), Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), and Medicare (1.45%). Kansas City and St. Louis both levy a 1% local earnings tax on wages earned within city limits — if you work in either city, that 1% applies regardless of where you live.
Yes — both Kansas City and St. Louis levy a 1% local earnings tax on wages earned within city limits. If you work in Kansas City or St. Louis (regardless of where you live), your employer withholds an additional 1% from your paycheck. Residents of those cities who work elsewhere also owe a 1% earnings tax on income. This calculator uses state-only rates; add 1% for KC or STL workers.
Missouri offers a generous exemption: Social Security benefits are fully exempt from MO income tax for taxpayers with adjusted gross income below $100,000 (single or married). Above $100,000, benefits are partially taxable. This is much more generous than federal taxation (which can tax up to 85% of SS benefits) and makes Missouri a favorable retirement state compared to states that fully tax Social Security.
On a $75,000 salary, Missouri state tax is approximately $2,500–$2,600. Illinois charges a flat 4.95% on income above a small exemption — about $3,500. Kansas has a top rate of 5.7% (on income above $30,000) — about $3,800. Tennessee and Texas have no income tax. Missouri falls nicely in the middle — lower than Illinois and Kansas, though significantly higher than the no-tax border states to the south.
Missouri passed legislation that automatically reduces the top income tax rate by 0.1% each year when certain revenue triggers are met. The rate was 5.4% in 2018, 4.95% before 2024, 4.7% in 2024, and further reductions may continue if state revenues grow. This gradual reduction trend makes Missouri increasingly tax-competitive with neighboring states over time.