Topic overview
In brief
- Missouri voters rejected Amendment 5, which aimed to phase out the state's income tax.
- The amendments faced significant opposition, with Amendment 4 also being defeated.
- The election results indicate a strong preference among voters to maintain the current tax structure.
Summary
In Missouri, voters decisively rejected two amendments during a recent election, marking a significant moment in the state's tax policy. On August 4, 2026, Amendment 5, which proposed a phased elimination of the state's individual income tax, was defeated by a wide margin of 83% to 17%. This amendment was part of a broader push by Republican leaders in the state to reduce taxes, a trend seen in many GOP-led states across the country. The proposed changes would have altered the state constitution to allow lawmakers to increase sales and other taxes to compensate for the lost income tax revenue.
Supporters of Amendment 5 argued that eliminating the income tax would make Missouri more competitive and allow families to retain more of their earnings. However, opponents raised concerns about potential budgetary issues, suggesting that the amendment would disproportionately benefit wealthier residents while jeopardizing essential state services funded by income tax revenue. The existing income tax in Missouri reaches up to 4.7% for top earners, contributing over $9 billion annually to the state's budget, which is crucial for funding government operations and services.