Now that legislation enacting a tax cut in Missouri is on the books, it’s time to make sure the administration of the taxes that are in effect is as even handed and transparent as possible.
Legislators on a panel at Associated Industries of Missouri’s Tax, Business & Manufacturing Conference this week seemed to be in unanimous agreement that something has to be done to give guidance to the Missouri Department of Revenue and certainty to business when it comes to what is supposed to be taxed…and what isn’t.
“(Legislators need to) provide predictability, stability, accountability and transparency to our tax structure,” said Eric Jennings, Chief of Staff for State Senator Bob Dixon, R-Springfield. “That’s important so that an inordinate amount of your time, of your businesses’ time, is not taken up dealing with the Department of Revenue, but doing what you do best.”
Jennings, State Senator Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit and State Representatives Andrew Koenig, R-St. Louis and T.J. Berry, R-Kearney made up the panel that spoke mostly about tax issues and revenue department challenges for about an hour Thursday afternoon.
Senator Kraus and Jennings experienced business owners’ frustrations with the Department of Revenue first hand this past summer when Kraus led an interim committee on tax administration and the actions of the Department of Revenue. Kraus told conference attendees that the interim committee will put out a report suggesting the Department of Revenue make changes. Absent of changes, Kraus said legislation will be prepared.
Rep. Koenig, Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, reiterated that his committee will continue to work to reduce taxes on Missouri businesses and individuals. Rep. Berry said that most of the Republican legislature is committed to doing what’s best for Missouri business.
“We work as a team,” said Berry. “With the leadership of Sen. Kraus and Rep. Koenig, we did move those tax bills forward, and we will be moving more bills forward to help you and your businesses.”
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