Missouri House Approves Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Replace Income Tax with Expanded Sales Tax

If the Senate approves the amendment, Missouri voters would have the final say on the proposal.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 9:05pm

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The Missouri House has approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would replace the state's income tax with an expanded sales tax. Under the proposal, the state's income tax would be gradually reduced before being eliminated altogether. Opponents argue the change could affect public services and increase prices for consumers, while supporters say it would allow Missourians to choose when and where they are taxed.

Why it matters

This proposed constitutional amendment represents a significant shift in Missouri's tax structure, moving away from an income tax to a more consumption-based sales tax. The change could have wide-ranging implications for the state's budget, public services, and the overall tax burden on residents.

The details

The proposed amendment would gradually reduce Missouri's income tax before eliminating it entirely, replacing it with an expanded sales tax. Supporters argue this would give Missourians more control over when and where they are taxed, through purchases and services. However, opponents warn the change could negatively impact public services and increase prices for all consumers.

  • The Missouri House approved the proposed constitutional amendment on March 12, 2026.

The players

Yolanda Young

A state representative who spoke against the measure on the House floor, arguing the proposal is not what her constituents are asking for and would make their lives harder, not better.

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What they’re saying

“The people I represent are not asking for gimmicks. They are asking for fairness. They're asking for stability. They're asking us to make decisions that actually make their lives better, not harder.”

— Yolanda Young, State Representative

What’s next

If the proposed constitutional amendment is approved by the Missouri Senate, it would then go to a vote of the state's residents.

The takeaway

This proposed tax overhaul in Missouri represents a significant shift in the state's fiscal policy, with potential impacts on public services, consumer prices, and the overall tax burden on residents. The debate highlights the ongoing tensions between income-based and consumption-based taxation approaches.