Where do Missouri governor candidates stand on tax cuts?

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Missourians are voting Tuesday on who the Republican and Democratic candidates for governor will be. One area where the candidates differ is in their plans to address taxes.

All three major Republican candidates for governor have plans to cut taxes if elected but differ on which taxes they focus on. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, State Sen. Bill Eigel and Lt. Gov, Mike Kehoe are all setting their aim at the state’s income tax.

Missouri’s individual income tax rate is between 2 and 4.45 percent. All three Republicans want to slash that to zero. When asked how the state’s economy would manage without the income tax, Kehoe referenced Former President Ronald Reagan’s economic plans.

“If we put more money into Missourians’ pockets and they spend it, the ripple effect into our economy will make it work,” Kehoe said.

However, Eigel wants to aim for personal property tax. He said it’s time Missouri caught up to other states, such as Florida and Texas, in tax cuts. Missourians currently pay 33.3 percent of their cars assessed value in taxes to the state each year. There are also personal property taxes on things like boats and RVs.

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“We’re gonna cut all this wasteful government, we’re not just gonna get rid of personal property tax, we’re gonna get rid of income taxes,” Eigel said. “The other big red states are doing it, Missouri is gonna be next, and pretty soon those other big red states are gonna be looking to Missouri for leadership.”

Ashcroft said he would cut the state’s gas tax. The Missouri tax on gasoline has risen each year since Senate Bill 262 went into effect in 2021. As of July this year, it’s 27 cents per gallon of gas. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, this tax provides $29.0 million to MoDOT and $12.6 million to cities and counties.

“I’m in favor of no taxes, but we have to have some,” Ashcroft said. “So I want to make it as low a tax burden — a total tax burden — on a Missourian as I can.”

Democratic candidate Crystal Quade says she would slash taxes on everyday items if elected.

“For cutting taxes, I want to look at things that are impacting every single Missourian every day,” Quade said. “Whether that be things like food taxes or things like feminine hygiene or diaper products.”

Missouri is one of 21 states taxing diapers and feminine hygiene products as luxury goods. Both diapers and feminine hygiene products are taxed at the state’s luxury rate of 4.225 percent.

Democratic candidate Mike Hamra was not available to answer specific questions because of a recent death in the family. Hamra’s platform said he wants to create tax credits for seniors, veterans and those with disabilities.

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