In a specific state, motorists have experienced financial strain due to legislative efforts to boost gas tax earnings. However, a silver lining exists for certain drivers who might have the opportunity to recover a portion of their diminished funds. Missouri has implemented a tax rebate initiative targeting select drivers amidst its rise in tax rates.
Missouri boasts a notably modest gas tax rate, which has remained historically low. Within the state, motorists are charged a mere 19.5 cents per gallon for all their fuel transactions. This unaltered price structure has persisted for a quarter-century, positioning Missouri as the 11th most affordable state in terms of gasoline purchases, as indicated by Wise Voter.
Missouri’s Gradual Gas Tax Increase
However, in 2021, a notable shift occurred as the state initiated a gradual 2.5-cent elevation on each gallon of gas sold.State drivers encountered their inaugural price surge in October 2021, marking the commencement of a trajectory projected to conclude in 2025, culminating in a tax of 30 cents per gallon.
Fortunately, the majority of drivers have the opportunity to recoup a portion of their expenses through a state-driven initiative. Recognizing the potential impact of escalated costs, legislators in Missouri have allocated funds for rebates to be extended to qualifying drivers.
Exploring the rebate program
The criteria for drivers interested in procuring a rebate were delineated in Missouri Senate Bill SB262:
- To qualify, vehicles must have a weight below 26,000 pounds
- For context, the typical American car weighs approximately 4,000 pounds
- Individuals aiming to avail the rebate must retain receipts from their gasoline transactions
The state’s current focus is on reimbursing drivers who made gas purchases spanning October 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023.
Receipts can be submitted through a designated platform to enable the state’s evaluation of eligibility
Anticipated rebate amounts hover just under $50, according to remarks from Tammi Hilton, the creator of the No MO Gas Tax app, during an interview with KSDK.
Hilton conveyed that for the ongoing year, most Missouri residents could expect to receive around $40 to $45 per vehicle, given their frequency of weekly or bi-weekly fuel acquisitions.
Fuel Reimbursements
Missouri is part of a group of states that are providing financial incentives to their residents for transitioning their energy consumption patterns. Hawaii introduced a program where residents were given financial incentives ranging from $25 to $1,000 to invest in more energy-efficient appliances like air conditioners, solar water heaters, and refrigerators.
These rebates in Missouri are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis
.Similarly, Alaska redirected a portion of its oil and gas earnings for the year towards rebates for its residents. While the majority of Alaskan residents have already received their rebate checks, there remain some who are classified as “eligible but not yet paid.” In Hilton’s view, it’s crucial for legislators to raise awareness about the potential unclaimed funds.