Missouri Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Proposal to Eliminate State Income Tax

Missouri voters rejected Amendment 5 in the primary election, decisively voting 84% to 16% against abolishing the state personal income tax. The proposal, championed by Governor Mike Kehoe and introduced by Rep. Bishop Davidson, would have removed a tax that contributes roughly 63% of the state's fiscal year 2025 revenue. Critics, led by the Missouri REALTORS association, argued that the loss would likely be offset by higher sales taxes and would jeopardize funding for public schools, prisons and social services.

Campaigns named “Missourians for Fair Taxation” and “Protect MO Taxpayers” received donations from the REALTORS group to oppose the measure. Voter Mary Jean Miller expressed skepticism, saying the amendment was packaged with appealing buzzwords that concealed its drawbacks. Had it passed, Missouri would have joined nine other states without an individual income tax, relying on alternative revenue sources such as sales taxes.