Side Hustles in Missouri: Tax Guide for KC & STL Gig Workers

$13.75

Minimum Wage (2024)

8

Income Tax Brackets

2

Cities with Earnings Tax

~$32K

Median Gig Worker Income

Missouri Gig Worker Tax Guide

Missouri has one of the more complex state tax structures for gig workers - 8 progressive brackets plus city-level earnings taxes in the two largest metros.

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Missouri Income Tax Brackets (2024)

Progressive rates - most gig workers land at 4.95%

Taxable Income	Rate
$0 - $1,207	2.0%
$1,208 - $2,414	2.5%
$2,415 - $3,621	3.0%
$3,622 - $4,828	3.5%
$4,829 - $6,035	4.0%
$6,036 - $7,242	4.5%
$7,243 - $8,449	4.8%
Over $8,450	4.95%

Self-Employment Tax (Federal)

All gig workers pay 15.3% federal self-employment tax on net earnings up to $168,600 (2024 limit). This is separate from income tax and applies before state taxes. You can deduct half of SE tax on your federal return.

Missouri Tax Calculator

Estimate your exact MO income tax, city earnings tax, and federal SE tax all in one place.

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⚠ The KC & STL Earnings Tax - What Every Gig Worker Must Know

Missouri has only two cities with a city-level earnings tax, but they happen to be the two biggest gig markets in the state. This is a critical expense most gig workers from other states are unprepared for.

City	Rate	Who Pays
Kansas City	1.0%	Income earned within KC city limits
St. Louis (City)	1.0%	Income earned within STL city limits

Note: St. Louis County is a separate jurisdiction from St. Louis City and does NOT have a 1% earnings tax. If you're delivering in Chesterfield, Clayton, or Kirkwood - you avoid the city earnings tax entirely.

Effective Tax Rate Example - Kansas City Gig Worker:
$50,000 net gig income. Missouri income tax on $50K: approximately $2,200. Federal SE tax: ~$7,065. Kansas City 1% earnings tax: $500. Total tax burden: ~$9,765 (19.5% effective rate). After MO standard deduction and 50% SE deduction, actual MO taxable income is lower.

MO Advantages

COL 11% below national average
No state-specific gig laws (IRS test only)
Strong sports event demand
$13.75/hr minimum wage floor
Low fuel costs vs. coastal states

MO Challenges

City earnings tax in top 2 metros
8 bracket system - complex filing
Seasonal demand swings
Lower base demand than major metros

Missouri Gig Worker Classification Laws

Missouri uses the federal IRS common-law test - one of the most gig-worker-friendly frameworks in the country. No AB5, no ABC test.

Missouri Independent Contractor Standard

Missouri applies the IRS 20-factor common-law behavioral control test to determine employee vs. independent contractor status. Key factors include: who controls when/where you work, who provides tools and equipment, and whether services are a key aspect of the hiring entity's regular business. Gig platforms are generally structured to pass this test.

No AB5-Style Legislation

Unlike California, Massachusetts, and some other states, Missouri has not enacted restrictive gig worker reclassification laws. There is no three-part ABC test requiring platforms to prove workers are independent. Missouri's legislature has generally resisted such measures, making it a stable environment for platform-based work.

Minimum Wage: $13.75/hr (2024)

Missouri's minimum wage increases annually with inflation. The 2024 rate is $13.75/hour. While this doesn't directly apply to self-employed gig workers, it sets the wage floor for platform workers who may be reclassified, and affects what part-time traditional employment pays as an alternative.

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Kansas City Earnings Tax Filing Requirements

If you earn income in Kansas City, MO

Kansas City self-employed gig workers must file the RD-108 earnings tax form with Kansas City Revenue Division annually. Quarterly estimated payments are required if you expect to owe $500+ per year.

The 1% earnings tax applies to all self-employment income earned within KC city limits. If you deliver both inside and outside city limits, you must prorate your income based on where deliveries were completed.

St. Louis City self-employed workers file Form E-1 with the St. Louis City Collector of Revenue. Same 1% rate, same proration rules for split-jurisdiction workers.

Avoid This Common Mistake

Many gig workers who live in suburban Kansas City (Overland Park KS, Lenexa, Lee's Summit) drive into Kansas City proper for peak-hour demand without realizing they owe the 1% earnings tax on income earned within city limits. The KC earnings tax crosses state lines - Kansas residents working in KC Missouri still owe it.

Top Gig Platforms in Missouri

Kansas City and St. Louis are competitive rideshare and delivery markets. Grubhub has unusually strong Missouri presence due to its KC-Chicago corridor footprint.

DoorDash

Food Delivery

$15-22/hr

Dominant food delivery platform in both Kansas City and St. Louis. KC's Westport, Power & Light District, and River Market neighborhoods generate strong evening and weekend demand. STL's Soulard, The Hill, and Washington Ave are high-volume zones.

KC Very High STL Very High Statewide

Grubhub

Food Delivery

$14-20/hr

Grubhub has a disproportionately strong Missouri footprint, especially in Kansas City, reflecting its Midwestern market concentration. Many KC restaurants are Grubhub-exclusive or Grubhub-preferred. Running both DoorDash and Grubhub simultaneously in KC is a proven strategy for maximizing delivery income.

KC Stronghold STL Active Multi-app Friendly

Uber & Lyft

Rideshare

$16-25/hr

Both platforms active in Kansas City and St. Louis. MCI Airport (Kansas City International) and STL Lambert Airport are reliable fare sources. Chiefs games at Arrowhead, Cardinals at Busch Stadium, and Blues at Enterprise Center create major surge events. St. Patrick's Day in Soulard (STL) is one of the largest outdoor events in the country - massive rideshare demand.

Airport Runs Sports Surges Event Premium

Instacart

Grocery Delivery

$14-19/hr

Active in KC and STL metro areas. Missouri's suburban sprawl pattern means larger grocery orders and longer delivery distances - which Instacart pays for with higher per-delivery earnings. Dierbergs and Schnucks (STL regional chains) are popular Instacart partners with strong customer bases.

Suburban Routes Large Orders Regional Chains

Amazon Flex

Package Delivery

$18-25/hr

Amazon has major fulfillment infrastructure in Missouri, including a large distribution center in Edwardsville, IL (STL area) and multiple KC-area facilities. Flex blocks in suburban KC and STL are competitive but available. Ideal for structured workers who prefer fixed time blocks over variable delivery pay.

Fixed Blocks Competitive Grab STL & KC

TaskRabbit & Handy

Home Services

$25-50/hr

Strong demand in KC's Country Club Plaza, Brookside, and Waldo neighborhoods, and in STL's Central West End and Ladue areas. Moving assistance, furniture assembly, and home repairs are highest-demand categories. The KC housing market's ongoing turnover creates consistent moving-help demand.

Higher Earnings Skilled Work KC & STL

Missouri Sports Event Demand Calendar

Missouri hosts two major league NFL teams (KC Chiefs, STL Rams left in 2016 but Blues and Cardinals remain strong), creating predictable annual demand spikes. Chiefs games (August through January playoffs) generate some of the highest rideshare surges in the Midwest. STL Blues (NHL) and Cardinals (MLB) provide 41 and 81 home games respectively. Mark these dates - surge rates can reach 2x-3x normal pricing within 1 mile of venues.

Missouri Cost of Living for Gig Workers

With a COL index of 89, Missouri is 11% cheaper than the US average. For gig workers, every dollar earned here goes measurably further.

COL Index Comparison

Missouri89

National Average100

Kansas City91

St. Louis90

Springfield84

Columbia86

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index. 100 = national average.

What Your Gig Income Buys in Missouri

1BR apartment (KC) ~$1,100/mo

1BR apartment (STL) ~$1,050/mo

Average gas price ~$3.00-3.20/gal

Monthly groceries (single) ~$280-320

Monthly car insurance (avg) ~$145-175

The Math of Gig Work in Missouri: A delivery driver earning $22/hr for 25 hours/week generates ~$2,380/month gross. After taxes (~22% all-in), net income is ~$1,856/month. With a KC 1BR apartment at $1,100, that leaves $756/month for all other expenses - a tighter margin than many gig workers expect after accounting for vehicle costs.

Best Cities for Gig Work in Missouri

Missouri's gig economy is heavily concentrated in Kansas City and St. Louis. Smaller cities offer lower competition but proportionally less demand.

Kansas City

Pop. 508K Very High Demand

Missouri's largest city and primary gig market. The 18th & Vine Jazz District, Power & Light District, and Sprint Center (now T-Mobile Center) entertainment complex generate consistent late-night rideshare demand. Arrowhead Stadium (Chiefs) and Kauffman Stadium (Royals) are must-know surge locations. Note: 1% earnings tax applies to all income earned in KC proper.

St. Louis

Pop. 301K Very High Demand

STL's unique geography - the independent city, not county - means the 1% earnings tax applies only within city limits. The Central West End, Soulard, and downtown entertainment districts are highest-demand gig zones. Busch Stadium (Cardinals), Enterprise Center (Blues), and BJC Healthcare complex (large hospital system) provide consistent daily demand. St. Patrick's Day in Soulard is one of the largest outdoor festivals in the US.

Springfield

Pop. 169K Moderate Demand

Home to Missouri State University and Drury University, Springfield has a steady college-driven delivery and rideshare market. Bass Pro Shops headquarters is located here, generating business traveler demand. No city earnings tax. Springfield's COL (approximately 84) is notably lower than KC and STL - your earnings go further here with less competition.

Columbia

Pop. 126K Moderate Demand

Home to the University of Missouri (MU) flagship campus with 32,000+ students - creating strong food delivery demand especially during fall/spring semesters. Columbia is located exactly midway between Kansas City and St. Louis on I-70, making it a potential "middle market" option. MU Mizzou football games (capacity 62,000) create major rideshare demand 6-7 Saturdays per year.

Independence

Pop. 123K Moderate Demand

A KC suburb that shares the metro market without the 1% city earnings tax. Gig workers can cover Independence AND Kansas City proper, accepting higher-paying city zone orders while living in a lower-cost suburb. The Independence Center (regional mall) and proximity to Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, and Raytown expand the effective market zone.

Joplin

Pop. 52K Moderate Demand

Joplin sits at the intersection of I-44 and US-71 near the Missouri-Kansas-Oklahoma-Arkansas four-state corner. Missouri Southern State University provides student delivery demand. Low COL and minimal gig worker competition can mean faster acceptance rates and more consistent income for the market size. No city earnings tax.

Missouri Gig Worker Resources

Official state, city, and federal resources for Missouri independent contractors and self-employed gig workers.

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Missouri Department of Revenue

File MO-1040 annually, pay quarterly estimated taxes using Form MO-1040ES. Access MyTax Missouri portal for online filing and payment tracking.

dor.mo.gov

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Kansas City Revenue Division

Self-employed KC workers file Form RD-108 for earnings tax. Quarterly estimated payments required if you expect $500+ annual liability. Online filing available.

kcmo.gov/revenue

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St. Louis City Collector of Revenue

St. Louis City (not County) self-employed workers must file Form E-1 for the 1% earnings tax. St. Louis County residents/workers are NOT subject to this tax.

stlouis-mo.gov/collector

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Missouri Department of Labor - Worker Classification

Official guidance on independent contractor classification under Missouri law. Useful if you're ever audited or have a dispute about your employment status with a platform.

labor.mo.gov

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IRS Self-Employed Center

Federal estimated tax calculator, Schedule SE instructions, and Form 1040-ES for quarterly federal estimated payments. Missouri gig workers pay both state and federal estimated taxes.

irs.gov/self-employed

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SideGigGuide 1099 Tax Calculator

Calculate your exact Missouri state income tax, Kansas City or St. Louis earnings tax, and federal self-employment tax based on your actual net gig income.

Calculate My MO Taxes

Missouri Gig Worker FAQ

Common questions from Missouri independent contractors and gig workers.

Missouri uses a progressive income tax with 8 brackets. The rates range from 2% on income from $0 to $1,207, up to 4.95% on income over $8,450. Most full-time gig workers earning $40,000+ in net income will be taxed primarily at the 4.95% top rate. Missouri also offers a standard deduction and personal exemption that reduce taxable income. Additionally, if you live or work in Kansas City or St. Louis, you must pay a separate 1% earnings tax on income earned in those cities - this is on top of the state income tax.

Yes. Both Kansas City and St. Louis levy a 1% earnings tax on income earned within city limits. This applies whether you live in the city or just work there as a gig worker. For a DoorDash driver who completes deliveries within Kansas City proper, the $500 they earn in a week is subject to the 1% KC earnings tax ($5) in addition to state income tax. The earnings tax applies to all wages, salaries, and self-employment income earned within the respective city boundaries.

Missouri has a COL index of 89, meaning it costs about 11% less to live here than the national average - making your gig earnings stretch further. The $13.75/hour minimum wage (set to increase annually) gives part-time gig workers a solid fallback. Missouri classifies gig workers as independent contractors under the standard IRS common-law test, with no AB5-style restrictions. The main downside is the 1% earnings tax in Kansas City and St. Louis, which adds to the effective tax burden for workers in those metros.

The top platforms for Missouri gig workers include: DoorDash and Grubhub for food delivery (both very active in KC and St. Louis); Uber and Lyft for rideshare (strong demand especially during sporting events and the Kansas City Chiefs games); Instacart for grocery delivery; Amazon Flex for package delivery. Grubhub has a particularly strong footprint in Missouri given its Chicago-to-KC corridor network. During Chiefs playoff runs and Cardinals baseball season, rideshare demand in Kansas City and St. Louis can spike dramatically.

Missouri gig workers who expect to owe $100 or more in state income tax must make quarterly estimated payments. Missouri follows the same quarterly schedule as the IRS: April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Use Form MO-1040ES and pay to the Missouri Department of Revenue. If you work in Kansas City, you must also file estimated earnings tax payments quarterly with the KC Revenue Division. St. Louis has a similar earnings tax filing requirement. Budget 25-30% of net gig income for combined federal self-employment tax (15.3% on first $168,600), state income tax, and city earnings tax.

Explore Other States

See how Missouri compares to neighboring states and major gig markets nationwide.

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Side Hustles in Missouri: KC & STL Earnings Tax Explained