Missouri Salary & Tax Calculator
Missouri's top marginal state income tax rate is pre-filled below (4.95%). Adjust it if you want to blend in federal withholding for a fully combined effective rate.
*Estimates only, illustrative and not tax or financial advice. Actual Missouri and federal taxes may vary — consult a tax professional for precise figures.
Wondering how much house you can afford with your net pay?
Mortgage Loan CalculatorMissouri has steadily flattened and lowered its income tax structure over the past several years, and the top marginal rate now sits at 4.95%, applying to taxable income above a fairly modest threshold (around $8,000+ for 2024, adjusted annually). We've pre-filled the calculator with 4.95% to reflect that top rate, though because Missouri's brackets step up quickly, most full-time workers earning a typical salary will actually land at or very near the top rate for most of their income, unlike states with a wide progressive spread. Regionally, Missouri's 4.95% is competitive: Kansas tops out at 5.7%, Illinois charges a flat 4.95% (matching Missouri almost exactly), Kentucky is a flat 4%, and Tennessee has no income tax at all, which matters for St. Louis and Kansas City metro workers who sometimes live across a state line from where they work. One important local wrinkle: both St. Louis and Kansas City impose a 1% earnings tax on residents (and on non-residents who work within city limits), so workers in those two cities should budget for that additional local levy on top of the 4.95% state rate.
🏆 Decoding Your Missouri Paycheck
Everything you need to know about using this calculator and the math behind it.
How it Works
Strips away estimated federal and Missouri state taxes plus common deductions from your gross salary to reveal your actual take-home (net) pay.
The Formula
Net Pay = Gross Pay − (Federal Tax + Missouri State Tax (4.95%) + FICA + Pre-tax Deductions).
Pro Tip
Kansas tops out at 5.7%, Illinois matches closely with a flat 4.95%, Kentucky is a flat 4%, and Tennessee has no income tax, making Missouri roughly mid-pack among its eight bordering states. Compare offers across state lines carefully — a higher salary in a high-tax state doesn't always beat a lower salary in a low-tax one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Missouri's state income tax rate? +
Missouri's top marginal state income tax rate is 4.95%, applying to taxable income above a modest threshold (roughly $8,000+ for 2024). Because the brackets step up quickly, most full-time workers effectively pay close to this top rate on the bulk of their income.
Do St. Louis and Kansas City charge an extra local income tax? +
Yes. St. Louis and Kansas City are the two Missouri municipalities that impose a 1% earnings tax on wages, applying both to residents and to non-residents who work within the city limits. This is separate from and in addition to the state's 4.95% top marginal income tax rate, so commuters into downtown St. Louis or Kansas City should factor in this extra 1%.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay? +
Gross pay is your total salary before any deductions. Net take-home pay is what you actually receive after federal and state income taxes, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), health insurance premiums, 401k contributions, and other deductions. For most US workers, net pay is roughly 70-80% of gross pay.
How does the US progressive federal tax system interact with Missouri's state tax? +
Federal tax uses seven brackets (10% to 37%) applied progressively regardless of which state you live in. Missouri's state tax is calculated separately and added on top of your federal liability. This calculator lets you enter a single combined effective rate so you can see both layers at once.
How can I reduce my taxable income in Missouri? +
Pre-tax contributions to a 401k or traditional IRA reduce taxable income at both the federal and Missouri state level. Health Savings Accounts and FSAs offer similar pre-tax treatment for medical and dependent care costs. Since Missouri generally follows the federal definition of taxable income with its own adjustments, maximizing federal pre-tax deductions typically lowers your state bill too.