(This article was sent and released from the Office of Representative David Evans.)
Jefferson City, MO. – On May 8 and by a vote of 154 to 2, the Missouri House of Representatives truly agreed and finally passed SB 190. When signed by the governor, this tax cut will eliminate over $330,000,000 in Missouri income taxes now paid each year by Missouri seniors and the disabled.
Starting in 2022, Representative David Evans of the 154th District led the fight in Missouri to end this tax. This year, Evans was joined in the campaign by Representative Michael O’Donnell, Representative Jeff Coleman, and by Senator Tony Leutkemeyer. The language Evans drafted and filed was added in the Senate in SB 190.
Representative Evans argued, “It’s been unfair in this state to continue to double tax our retirees and the disabled. Social Security was designed as a retirement plan and not as just another tax increase. In this state, the folks I know work hard all of their lives to support their families and to earn a decent retirement income. Many people often work 2 or 3 jobs at a time to just make ends meet. They pay taxes all of their working lives. We shouldn’t again be taxing our seniors when those benefits are finally paid out. It’s just not right.” In a rare procedural move, Speaker Dean Plocher of the Missouri House stepped down from his leadership role at the dais to give his very strong personal testimony in support of this Social Security income tax cut for Missouri retired workers.
In addition to the tax cut on Social Security benefits, SB 190 also allows each county to grant additional local property tax credits for seniors. However, unlike the Social Security income tax repeal on seniors, this new local property tax credit also requires approval by each local county commission or approval by local voters.
Unless vetoed by Governor Mike Parson, the Missouri Social Security income tax cut will become effective in the tax year 2024.
