Income Tax

Amendment 5 has garnered attention and advertising dollars aimed at swaying undecided Missouri voters. KC Media Collective partner The Beacon analyzed ads about the proposal to examine the claims and iron out what the constitutional amendment would actually do.

63% of Missouri's general revenue comes from individual income taxes. Critics of Amendment 5 wonder how the legislature will fill the gap. States without income tax have raised revenue by adding taxes on everything from tourism to tobacco.

In January, Gov. Mike Kehoe called for a phase-out of the state's income tax and an expansion of sales and use taxes, which he wants voters to approve. That vote is Tuesday.

A statement signed by leaders of four Missouri diocese doesn't specifically tell voters to reject the change, but warns of its consequences.

Missouri voters in August will decide whether to approve a proposed constitutional amendment allowing for the expansion of sales and use taxes in order to eliminate the income tax.

Plaintiffs argue that the proposal, known as Amendment 5, violated constitutional prohibitions on addressing more than one subject. They plan to appeal the ruling.

Kehoe also said he doesn't plan on calling any special sessions including on drawing another new congressional map.

The GOP governor said he's ready to sell his plan to expand sales and use taxes as a way to eliminate Missouri's income tax to voters.

The proposed constitutional amendment gives lawmakers five years to expand transaction-based taxes to make up for revenue lost by eliminating the state income tax.

The resolution now goes back to the Missouri House. If the House passes the Senate version, it will appear on a ballot in a future election.