Filing state taxes can feel overwhelming, especially with past years like 2016. Whether you're an individual taxpayer, a small business owner, or someone helping a relative, understanding how to file a Missouri tax return properly is essential to avoid penalties and claim any refunds or credits you're still eligible for.
Missouri and part-year residents who filed a federal return for 2016 likely also needed to file a state return, depending on income thresholds and specific eligibility rules. Nonresidents who earned income in Missouri may also have had to file. While the original due date was April 18, 2017, many people still submit returns for prior years to correct previous filings or claim unclaimed refunds and property tax credits.
This article provides a step-by-step breakdown of the process for filing a tax return in Missouri for the 2016 tax year, including what forms to use, how to calculate your adjusted gross income, what credits you might be eligible for, and how to e-file or mail your return. If you’re unsure where to start or simply want to double-check your work, this guide will help walk you through each step.
Whether you live in St. Louis, Kansas City, or anywhere else in Missouri, we’ll make the filing process easier to understand so you can file confidently and accurately—even after the deadline.
If you lived in Missouri or earned income from the state in 2016, there’s a good chance you were required to file a Missouri tax return, even if you didn’t owe any tax. The rules depend primarily on your adjusted gross income, residency status, and whether you filed a federal return that year.
You were required to file a 2016 Missouri individual income tax return if:
Even if you did not meet these thresholds, filing may still have been beneficial—especially in the following situations:
Missouri follows the same filing status rules as the federal government. If you filed jointly for your federal return, you can file a joint Missouri return, even if one spouse did not live in Missouri. Single, head of household, married filing separately, and qualifying widow(er) statuses apply. The income thresholds and exemptions vary depending on your status.
Understanding your eligibility is the first step before calculating your taxable income or determining whether you’ll receive a refund or owe money.
Gathering the correct forms is essential before preparing your 2016 Missouri tax return. Missouri offers different filing options based on the complexity of your income and deductions. The forms you need depend on whether you’re filing a simple return, claiming credits, or reporting business income.
Ensure the forms you use are labeled for the 2016 tax year. Using forms from another year could result in a rejected return or processing delays.
Filing your 2016 Missouri tax return starts with information from your federal filing. Your federal adjusted gross income serves as the base, and from there, you’ll apply state-specific adjustments, exemptions, and credits to determine your taxable income and whether you’ll receive a refund or owe additional tax.
Before starting, make sure you have:
Enter your name, address, Social Security number, and filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.). Missouri uses the same statuses as the IRS.
Start with your federal adjusted gross income, then complete Form MO-A to account for Missouri-specific adjustments. These might include:
The result becomes your Missouri adjusted gross income.
From your adjusted income:
Use the 2016 tax rate table to calculate your base income tax. Most taxpayers fell within rates ranging up to 6 percent.
Use the appropriate forms to claim:
Compare your total credits and payments with your calculated tax. You're due a refund if you paid more than what you owe. If not, you’ll need to pay the difference.
Choose your refund option (direct deposit or check) or payment method.
If you were self-employed or owned a small business in 2016, your Missouri tax return may have involved additional steps. The type of business you operated—sole proprietorship, S corporation, or partnership—determines how and where you report your income, deductions, and any taxes owed.
If you operated a business as a sole proprietor:
Several credits were available in 2016 for Missouri businesses that met specific qualifications:
You must attach Form MO-TC and include supporting documentation or certificates to claim these.
Proper filing helps you stay compliant and allows you to claim any guarantees, deductions, or credits earned through your business activities.
Once your 2016 Missouri tax return is complete, you must decide how to submit it electronically or by mail. Each option has its benefits, depending on your preference and filing situation.
The Missouri Department of Revenue supported e-filing for 2016 through several approved providers. Filing online offers:
Many taxpayers qualified for free e-file services through the Free File Alliance based on income level. You could also use commercial software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct.
If you used a tax preparer, they may have been an authorized e-file provider.
Some taxpayers preferred to file by mail. This method required extra attention to detail to avoid delays:
Mailing Addresses (for 2016 Returns)
The original due date to file your 2016 return was April 18, 2017. If you were granted a federal extension (Form 4868), Missouri accepted it automatically, but you still needed to pay any taxes owed by the original deadline to avoid penalties and interest.
Missouri-specific extensions required Form MO-60 and payment submission by April 18, 2017, even if you planned to file later.
You must choose how to pay once you determine the taxes owed on your 2016 Missouri return. The Missouri Department of Revenue offers several methods for taxpayers to submit payments securely and on time.
1. Credit or Debit Card
You could pay your state tax using a major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express). Payments were accepted online or by phone, but a convenience fee applied—usually 2 percent plus a small fixed fee. These fees varied slightly between processors.
2. E-Check (Electronic Bank Draft)
An e-check allowed you to pay directly from your checking account by entering your routing and account numbers. Like card payments, this could be completed online or via phone. It was commonly used for individuals who wanted a low-fee option with digital confirmation.
3. Check or Money Order
If mailing your tax payment, make checks payable to “Missouri Department of Revenue.” Include your Social Security number, the tax year (2016), and “MO Income Tax” on the memo line. Send the payment with Form MO-1040V to the designated address.
Missouri allows you to apply for an installment plan if you can't pay your full balance due. While this didn’t avoid interest and penalties, it helped spread payments over time. To apply, contact the department directly or visit their payment services portal.
Taxpayers who expected to owe more than $100 in 2017 had to estimate quarterly taxes using Form MO-1040ES. These payments helped avoid underpayment penalties and were especially important for self-employed individuals, retirees, and those without regular wage withholding.
Missouri's tax system, supported by income, sales tax, and other sources, funds everything from public safety to local services like road repairs, food assistance, and education.
Missouri offers a valuable property tax credit to particular residents, especially seniors, disabled individuals, renters, and homeowners with limited total household income. Even if you weren’t required to file a full Missouri tax return, you might still be eligible to claim this credit for the 2016 tax year.
You may qualify if you:
The maximum credit in 2016 was
To apply, complete Form MO-PTS and submit it with your state return—or file it separately if you weren’t otherwise required to file. You’ll need documentation such as
The credit is refundable, meaning you can receive a refund even if you owe no income tax.
Aside from the property tax credit, some taxpayers qualified for:
Even if your overall adjusted gross income was low, these credits helped ease the impact of sales and housing costs across Missouri.
After filing your 2016 Missouri tax return, you may want to know the status of your refund or verify how much you still owe. The Missouri Department of Revenue provided several tools to make this easy.
To check your refund, visit the Missouri Return Tracker online. You’ll need:
Most e-filed returns were processed within 1 to 2 weeks if direct deposit was selected, or 2 to 3 weeks if requesting a paper check. Paper returns took longer—typically 6 to 8 weeks.
You can also check your refund status by calling the automated line at (573) 526-8299.
If you owe taxes, you can confirm your balance and payment history by using one of the following methods:
Processing may be delayed if:
If you filed electronically and selected direct deposit, your refund might have arrived within 10 days. If you mailed your return and requested a check, you may have waited over a month, especially during peak season.
Before sending off your 2016 Missouri tax return, take a few moments to review everything. Missing just one document or form can delay your refund or cause your return to be rejected.
Keep your records for at least three years from the filing date or two years from the date you paid any taxes due—whichever is later. Property or depreciation schedules should be retained for the asset's whole life.
Missouri does not have an estate or inheritance tax, making it one of several states where residents do not pay a separate state-level tax on inherited assets. This applies to estates passed within the state or from other states. However, large estates may still be subject to federal estate tax, depending on asset value and structure.
The local sales tax rate in Missouri varies by city and county. While the state rate is consistent, local governments add their rates, often ranging from 1 to 5 percent. This means some areas have a total rate above 8 percent. Be sure to check the current rates in your area using Missouri’s sales tax map or calculator tool.
Missouri used a graduated tax system in 2016, meaning higher earnings moved you into higher tax brackets. The top tax rate was 6 percent for taxable income over $9,000. The brackets apply to all filers, including individuals, joint and single filers, and part-year residents. Calculations were based on assessed taxable income after deductions and exemptions.
While Missouri applies a uniform gas tax across the state, additional local fuel taxes may apply in areas like St. Louis and Kansas City. These local rates are often used to support transportation infrastructure or public transit. Check with your local municipality or county for additional fuel-related taxes or fees applicable to your area.
The Missouri Department of Revenue provides a map and online tools to help taxpayers determine the correct mailing address or payment center based on location. Whether you live in urban cities like Kansas City or rural counties, proper routing ensures faster processing of your return or payment. Mailing addresses differ depending on whether you're due a refund or owe tax.
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