Self-employed in Kansas City, MO: taxes and retirement for 2026

Guides for Kansas City

Kansas City local rules

Local income tax

Kansas City, Missouri Earnings Tax (E-Tax) and Profits Tax: 1% for residents, 1% for nonresidents (effective 1% since 1970; voters renewed it on April 7, 2026 for five years starting Jan. 1, 2027). Self-employed residents owe 1% on their business net profit wherever it is earned and file a profits return (Form RD-108/108B) by April 15, even if there is a loss. Nonresidents owe 1% on income earned inside city limits.

Kansas City, Missouri Business License Tax

Every business operating in Kansas City, including sole proprietors, needs an annual business license. The fee is graduated by gross receipts using the rate tables on Forms RD-105 and RD-103, or is a flat rate for some industries. Licenses expire Dec. 31, renewals are due by the last day of February, and fees are not prorated.

City business license

Yes: the city says all businesses operating in Kansas City must have a business license, regardless of size or type, including sole proprietors.

Also worth knowing

Rates are shown as percentages (1 = 1%). Missouri law (RSMo 92.115) requires a renewal vote every five years. The April 7, 2026 vote was called by City Council File #251029 (https://clerk.kcmo.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7770753&GUID=B2E634F3-D548-4394-95FA-E4695184000F), which also records the 1970 increase to 1%. News outlets reported it passed with about 75% yes (https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2026-04-07/kansas-city-voters-renew-earnings-tax-city-revenue-elections); no official canvass was opened. The RD-108 loss-filing rule is from https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/finance/tax-home/tax-forms. On rideshare, the city's business-license FAQ says Uber and Lyft are regulated through the State of Missouri, but drivers must still pay the 1% earnings tax. No city gig-worker pay ordinance was found.

Missouri rules that apply in Kansas City

State income tax (2026)

Missouri has a graduated state income tax for 2026: 2% to 4.7% (top rate starts at $9,436 for single filers). 2026 brackets: the first $1,348 of taxable income is taxed at 0%, then rates run from 2.0% up to 4.7% on taxable income over $9,436. The same brackets apply to every filing status. A legislative constitutional amendment to phase out the income tax (HJR 173/174, Amendment 5) appeared on the August 4, 2026 primary ballot (sos.mo.gov) and was defeated by voters, so 2026 rates are unchanged.

State estimated tax

You must file a declaration and pay estimated tax if your Missouri estimated tax (after withholding and credits) is expected to be $100 or more (Section 143.521.1, RSMo). Same dates as federal (April 15, June 15, September 15, January 15). Farmers may pay by January 15, or file and pay in full by March 1. Form MO-1040ES.

Minimum wage (2026)

$15.00 an hour; tipped cash wage $7.50 an hour. Tipped workers must get at least 50% of the minimum wage ($7.50) in cash, and tips must bring them to $15.00. Retail and service businesses with under $500,000 in annual gross income do not have to pay the state rate. HB 567 (2025) repealed the inflation increases that were set to start in 2027 and also repealed Prop A paid sick leave.

Unemployment right-to-control test (RSMo 288.034.5)

Missouri unemployment law uses the common-law right-to-control test. If the business controls the manner and means of the work, the worker is an employee; if it controls only the results, the worker is an independent contractor. Some licensed real estate agents and direct sellers paid on output under a written contract are excluded.

Rideshare (TNC) driver contractor status (RSMo 387.414)

Rideshare drivers are independent contractors, not employees, if the company does not set required logged-in hours, does not bar them from other rideshare apps, does not restrict other work, and both sides agree in writing that the driver is a contractor. In effect since August 28, 2017.

State retirement program

Show-Me MyRetirement Savings Plan is live. It is built around W-2 employers and does not cover 1099 contractors through the employer mandate.

Questions

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Sources

• dor.mo.gov/forms/MO-1040ES_2026.pdf
• labor.mo.gov/DLS/MinimumWage
• revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=288.034
• revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=387.414
• www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/finance/tax-home/tax-faqs
• www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/finance/business-license-faq

Facts researched from official sources and independently re-checked; last verified October 2026, next scheduled review 2027-01-02. Educational information for 2026, not tax, legal or investment advice. Rules change; check the official sources listed and a tax professional for your situation. Gigaverse AI, Inc. is a financial technology company, not a bank, and not itself a registered investment adviser or broker-dealer.