Start saving those receipts when you pump gas, that is if you want a rebate on the new gas tax that went into effect last week.
The tax on gasoline sales in Missouri went up by 2.5 cents on Oct. 1, and there will be additional hikes of 2.5 cents per year for the next four years, for a total of 12.5 cents.
Missouri’s gasoline tax, which had been 17 cents per gallon before the increase, hadn’t been raised since 1996.
The legislation to raise the tax, signed by Gov. Mike Parson in July, allows people the chance to file for a rebate of the additional taxes paid.
Consumers will need to save their receipts when they’re at the pump, as the information on those slips of paper will be required by the Missouri Department of Revenue.
For three months starting July 1, 2022, people will be able to apply for refunds for the new 2.5-cent tax paid on sales from Oct. 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. People will be able to apply through a form that will be available on the department’s website.
The following information will be required when submitting a refund claim:
Vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle involved; date of sale; name and address of purchaser and the seller; number of gallons purchased and charged Missouri fuel tax.
Those who buy gas in Missouri but don’t live in the state also may file for the rebates.
The increase for the coming year is estimated to cost the average Missouri driver about $1 per month. Once fully phased in in five years, the increase is estimated to cost about each driver about $60 per year.
Those who file for the rebates are advised to keep their receipts for three years.
Depending on how many file for the rebates, the tax increase could generate between $400 million and $600 million a year for repairs of the state’s road and bridge system.
State Rep. Becky Ruth (R-Festus), chair of the House Transportation Committee, originally filed the legislation concerning the increase. Her bill eventually was included in a version sponsored by Dave Schatz (R-Sullivan), the Senate president pro tem.
“If people are happy with the job that’s being done and they want to continue to invest in the roads and bridges, then they will leave their money there,” Ruth said. “If they feel like they need to have that money back, they don’t think it’s fair, they need it for whatever reason, or maybe they’re just not happy with how the money is being spent or they don’t feel like MODOT’s doing a good job, they can request a refund of that new tax.”
For information about the rebates, call the Department of Revenue’s Taxation Division at 573-751-5860 or email excise@dor.mo.gov.