Ballot measure to eliminate income tax, add new sales taxes set for ballot

EDITOR'S NOTE: The date when the issue could appear on the ballot has been corrected.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A resolution to put a measure to eliminate the income tax and allow new sales taxes will appear before voters in August or November.

The Missouri House on Tuesday approved the measure with a 95-59 vote. The Senate passed the measure last week, known as House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174.

Supporters say eliminating the income tax will put more money back in Missourians pockets so they can decide how they want to spend it. Critics, however, have said the change would shift more of the state's tax burden to poor and middle-class residents.

Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) spoke against the bill during debate, relaying the story of his grandmother, who lives on a fixed income.

"She is on a fixed income, and she's not going to benefit from the elimination of sales tax," Tyson Smith said. "Her groceries are going to go up."

Some business groups also opposed the measure because it will add sales tax to services that aren't currently taxed, such as medical visits and real estate transactions.

Kehoe celebrated the bill's passage in a social media post.

"HJR 173/174 has been truly agreed and finally passed, putting the choice to eliminate the state income tax where it belongs: in the hands of Missouri voters," the statement reads. "This is the first step in keeping our promise to make Missouri more competitive, attract jobs and investment, and let families keep more of what they earn from the start. We look forward to continuing this important conversation with Missourians in every corner of our state."