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KC earnings tax renewal to appear on April ballot

By Madison Parry

The question of whether to continue Kansas City's current one-percent earnings tax for another five years will appear on the April 2021 ballot, when only a portion of voters who work and live in Kansas City, Mo. will be able to decide on its continuation.

This upcoming spring, Kansas City, Mo. residents will see a return of the earnings tax, or e-tax, to the ballot.

On April 6, 2021, voters will be asked the question of whether to continue Kansas City’s current one-percent earnings tax for five years and if approved, will be continued beginning Jan. 1, 2022.

The earnings tax is a tax on an individual’s earned income such as salaries, wages, commissions, tips and other compensation.

Missouri requires voters in cities that currently have an earnings tax – Kansas City and St. Louis – to approve the continuation of the earnings tax at “the next general municipal election date immediately following” the effective date of the new law and every five years thereafter, according to details of the ordinance provided by the City of Kansas City, Mo.

Kansas City voters previously affirmed the collection of the earnings tax on April 5, 2016.

However, only a portion of those who pay the earnings tax will have a say in whether it stands, as only Kansas City, Mo. residents will see the question on their ballot.

This means for those that work in Kansas City, Mo. yet live outside of the city will not have a vote.