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Key Takeaways
- Missouri removed its capital gains tax, meaning residents won’t have to pay state taxes on profits when selling stocks, property, and other assets.
- Seven other states don’t have any capital gains tax because they don’t have any income tax at all.
- Most states tax capital gains at the same rate as ordinary income.
- Two other states, Washington and Maryland, have expanded capital gains taxes this year.
- If you’re one of the growing numbers of Americans with brokerage accounts, capital gains taxes can affect when you’re able to retire and where you want to live.
If you live in Missouri, you’ll no longer have to pay taxes on profits from the sale of stocks and property. Last month, Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a law eliminating the state’s capital gains tax, which his office claims is the first time a state has ever struck down such a levy.
This means Missourians won’t owe taxes on profits from the sale of stocks, bonds, property, and other assets, beginning in the 2025 tax year. Missouri joins seven other states without a capital gains tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming. Those states have never eliminated a capital gains tax but they also don’t have an income tax.
Capital gains taxes matter to people who anticipate real estate sales with significant gains and to the growing number of Americans who have investments in taxable brokerage accounts. While the majority of people save for retirement in tax-preferred accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs, 21% had investments in taxable accounts in 2022, up from 15% in 2019.
Important
Even in states that don’t have capital gains taxes, residents are still subject to federal capital gains taxes, which apply to assets held for longer than a year. Tax rates for long-term capital gains (for assets held for more than a year) are 0%, 15%, or 20% as of 2025, depending on your tax bracket. Short-term gains are taxed at ordinary income rates.
How Other States Tax Capital Gains
Not every state is lining up to follow Missouri, at least not yet. Washington, which also has no state income tax but separately taxes capital gains, raised taxes this year on realized gains beyond $1 million.
Maryland, meanwhile, added a 2% capital gains surcharge for individuals making at least $350,000 a year.
Most states tax capital gains at the same rate as income. At the high end, California’s top capital gains tax rate is 13.3%, followed by New York and New Jersey with rates just under 11%.
So, should you move to Missouri, or one of the seven other states, to sell your assets and reap those untaxed capital gains? If you live in a state with a higher tax and earn a lot of income from capital gains, skipping capital gains taxes might make the no-tax states more attractive. Of course, other issues carry more weight for most Americans.
If you are looking for a Show-Me State retirement destination, Investopedia and Travel + Leisure listed Poplar Bluff and Farmington among their top 10 Midwestern cities to retire in. Platte City, Missouri, was also recently featured in Investopedia‘s “Destination Retirement” series.
The Bottom Line
While Missourians will still face federal capital gains taxes, they now join a small group of states where selling assets can be more tax-friendly. For those considering retirement or relocation, the policy shift may make Missouri more appealing. However, those relocating would still face federal capital gains taxes and need to consider other costs that may outweigh any savings in capital gains taxes.
