Missouri bishops warn elimination of state income tax could burden lower-income residents

Missouri’s Catholic bishops are urging state voters to consider “justice and equity” ahead of a state vote that may eliminate personal income tax there, with the prelates warning that such a measure could adversely impact low-income residents.

Voters in the state will decide on Aug. 4 whether to approve Amendment 5, which would reduce and eventually eliminate Missouri’s income tax.

The measure also would mandate the “[reduction of] personal property and other local taxes when local revenues increase.” The amendment would allow sales taxes to make up the difference in state revenue.

In a statement this month, Missouri’s four Catholic bishops urged voters to consider “the moral principles that should guide us in pondering any tax proposal.”

The Catholic Church, they pointed out, does not mandate that governments adopt “any particular tax model,” but the Church does teach that “every system of taxation must serve the common good” and be guided by justice.

The bishops warned that shifting to sales taxes, which are regressive, places a larger per-income burden on lower-income taxpayers and “should be approached with prudence.”

They acknowledged that supporters of the income tax repeal have “a sincere desire to promote the long-term prosperity” of Missouri. But such aims should be “weighed alongside the potential effects on those who are most vulnerable,” they argued.

The bishops further called on the government to preserve tax-based incentives for charitable giving.

The prelates urged voters to “thoughtfully” discern their vote on the amendment in light of the Church’s teachings. They also urged the government to “ensure the needs of the poor and vulnerable remain at the forefront of public policy.”

Polling has shown that a slight majority of Missouri residents favor eliminating the state income tax. An SLU/YouGov poll from February 2025 said 52% of voters there support eliminating the state income tax.

Just 29% of voters in a February 2026 poll, meanwhile, preferred income taxes to sales taxes.

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