Missouri House bills change tax credits for food donations

Two Missouri House bills were heard that would alter state income tax credits for donations to food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens and food banks. One bill would remove the law's sunset date and another would increase and split the available credit funds.

Missouri lawmakers held hearings on two House bills that would change state income tax credits tied to donations for food assistance. One bill would eliminate the current sunset date on the existing credit law. The other bill would both raise the amount available for credits and explicitly include food banks in the program. Both bills received a public hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee. Key facts: - House Bill 1782, introduced by Rep. John Voss, would remove the sunset provision that would otherwise let the current law expire on Dec. 31, 2026. - House Bill 2457, introduced by Rep. Pattie Mansur, would increase the total funds available and create two allocations: one for donations to food pantries, homeless shelters and soup kitchens, and one for donations to food banks. - Under HB 2457, $2.75 million would be available annually for credits tied to local food pantries, homeless shelters and soup kitchens, which the Missouri Department of Revenue says is a $1 million increase each year. - The bill would allocate $1.25 million annually for tax credits on donations to food banks, and unused funds in one allocation could be transferred to the other. - Representatives of Feeding Missouri and The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri said clarifying inclusion of food banks and increasing funds is important because food banks collect and distribute food to many community programs and face high demand and spending. Summary: If enacted, the measures would extend and expand state tax credits for donations to food assistance organizations and would add a dedicated allocation for food banks. Undetermined at this time.