How does Missouri tax capital gains?

Missouri does not offer a preferential capital gains rate. Gains are taxed as ordinary income at the state's graduated rates, with a top marginal rate of 4.8% in 2024. For most investors with a meaningful gain, the top 4.8% rate applies to the gain.

What is the federal long-term capital gains rate?

Federal long-term gains on assets held more than a year are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your taxable income. Most filers fall in the 15% bracket; very low incomes pay 0% and high incomes pay 20%. Select the bracket that matches your income.

How are short-term gains taxed?

Short-term gains on assets held one year or less are taxed as ordinary income at your regular federal marginal rate, plus Missouri's ordinary income tax. Enter your federal marginal rate (for example 22% or 24%) to estimate the short-term federal portion.

Does the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax apply?

The federal Net Investment Income Tax of 3.8% can apply to investment income when modified AGI exceeds $200,000 single or $250,000 married. This tool does not add it, so high earners should add 3.8% to the federal portion of the estimate.

What happens if I have a capital loss?

If your basis exceeds your proceeds, you have a capital loss and owe no capital gains tax. Losses can offset other capital gains and up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year, with the remainder carried forward to future years.

Missouri Capital Gains Tax Calculator

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The Missouri Capital Gains Tax Calculator estimates the combined federal and Missouri tax when you sell an asset. The key Missouri fact: the state gives gains no preferential rate and taxes them as ordinary income at up to 4.8%, on top of the federal capital gains tax.

How it works

The gain is the spread between proceeds and basis, then two taxes apply:

gain = sale proceeds - cost basis

federal tax = gain x rate
  long-term  -> 0%, 15%, or 20% by income bracket
  short-term -> your ordinary federal marginal rate

missouri tax = gain x 4.8%   (taxed as ordinary income)

total tax = federal tax + missouri tax
net gain  = gain - total tax

Because Missouri taxes gains like wages, a long-term investor effectively pays the federal preferential rate plus 4.8% to the state, unlike states (such as neighboring states with no income tax) where only the federal rate applies.

Example and notes

Selling for $50,000 with a $30,000 basis, long-term, 15% federal bracket:

gain: 50,000 - 30,000 = $20,000
federal tax: 20,000 x 15% = $3,000
missouri tax: 20,000 x 4.8% = $960
total tax: $3,960
net gain: $16,040

Short-term gains lose the federal preference and are taxed at your ordinary rate.
High earners may owe an extra 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax federally.
A capital loss owes no tax and can offset other gains.
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