Learn More About The Issues

What would your proposal do?

It would amend the Missouri Constitution to prevent Double Taxation on homes and other properties.

What is the specific language of your proposal?

"Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to prevent the state, counties, and other political subdivisions from imposing any new tax, including a sales tax, on the sale or transfer of homes or any other real estate?"

What is a real estate transfer tax?

It’s a tax imposed by state or local governments, or both, that is collected when you transfer ownership of your home, land or other real estate. Typically, once the tax is on the books, the rate can be increased by the state, city or county without a vote of the people.

What is your objection to a real estate transfer tax?

Missouri homeowners already pay property tax. A real estate transfer tax is nothing more than double taxation. Many sellers have owned their homes for decades, and they have already paid thousands of dollars in property taxes and other fees. Adding double taxation through a real estate transfer tax is simply bad public policy. It denies fairness, and it defies Missouri common sense.

What would be the government fiscal impact of the proposal?

Since these unfair taxes are not now being collected in Missouri, and our aim is to keep it that way, there would not be a new fiscal impact.

What are the next steps for the proposal?

We are aiming to gather some 157,000 signatures of registered Missouri voters plus a comfortable cushion of additional signatures to place this amendment before our neighbors in the November 2010 general election. We are asking Missourians to sign the petitions to allow our citizens to have the final say on unfair double taxation.

What is the Missouri Association of REALTORS ®?

The Missouri Association of REALTORS ® is a professional association that is 22,000 members strong. We are the largest trade association in Missouri. Our members are personally invested in our communities in countless ways – raising families, leading in volunteerism, serving on local boards, sharing church pews, school meetings and our joys and tragedies. This spirit of community involvement reaches out nationally; for example, in the aftermath of both 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, REALTORS ® came together immediately to volunteer in relief and shelter projects. We care about our neighbors and work to help them achieve the American dream of home ownership.