THE EGGLESTON REPORT – FUEL TAX REBATE UPDATE
You may recall that last year I wrote about the state legislature passing a fuel tax increase with a rebate option. Last October, the state’s fuel tax went up 2.5 cents per gallon. On July 1, it will go up another 2.5 cents. Then for the next three years it will go up another 2.5 cents every July 1, for a total increase of 12.5 cents per gallon. There was some question as to whether this was legal or ethical for the legislature to do without a vote of the people, but it got enough votes to pass.
The good news is the increase included a rebate option allowing you to get your money back on the increase. You will need to download form 4923-H from the Department of Revenue’s web site (https://dor.mo.gov/forms/4923-H.pdf), fill it out, mail or email it in, and the state will send you a rebate check or direct deposit to give you back the extra you paid due to the tax increase. On the rebate application, you will enter your vehicles’ make, model, and VIN, and the name and address of the gas station, amount of gallons purchased, and date of each fill-up. The rebate is for gas and diesel, commercial and non-commercial, but only for vehicles that weigh no more than 26,000 pounds. You may request your rebate between July 1 and September 30 for the fuel you purchased the prior fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).
To help my family and my constituents, I wrote a spreadsheet to help make the process of getting the rebate easier. So far, I have emailed this spreadsheet for free to a few hundred people who requested it. To use it, each time you fill up enter the info about that fill-up on a line in the spreadsheet, and the spreadsheet will calculate your totals. Then throw your receipt in a shoebox in case the department requests to see them. There will be a few random audits to cut down on fraud, so keep those receipts for three years.
Lastly, I spoke with the Department of Revenue’s director and had him review my spreadsheet. He said that if you submit Page 1 of 4923-H, which is the summary totals page, you may attach my spreadsheet to document your itemized fill-ups instead of manually filling out the rest of the form for each vehicle. That should make it easier to apply for your rebate. For those receiving this report by email, I have attached the spreadsheet. For those reading this report in the newspaper, email me at [email protected] and I will be happy to email you a copy. As the gas tax increases over the next several years, getting your rebate will become more and more valuable.
Until next time, best wishes of safety, health, and prosperity to you and your family.
PICTURES FROM THE DISTRICT
Fuel Tax Spreadsheet Screenshot
DeKalb County
FROM THE CAPITOL NEWS DESK
Missourians Could Receive Some Relief from High Fuel Prices
Beginning July 1, Missourians will be able to get back some of the money they’ve spent on gas for their vehicles. Missouri’s fuel tax rebate program will officially go into effect on that date, and Missourians will be able to apply online to get a refund for a portion of the state’s fuel tax.
The Missouri General Assembly approved legislation (SB 262) in 2021 to incrementally increase the state’s fuel tax in an effort to generate additional funds for road and bridge maintenance and improvements. The bill increases the state’s gas tax by 2.5 cents per gallon and increases it by that same amount each year until it reaches an additional 12.5 cents per gallon in 2025. The first increase took place on October 1, 2021, which increased Missouri’s fuel tax to 19.5 cents per gallon. The bill also includes a rebate provision that allows Missouri drivers who choose to keep receipts for gas purchased to request a full refund of the additional taxes paid.
The Missouri Department of Revenue now has forms online that will allow Missourians to apply for a refund on the 2.5-cent tax increase for fuel used for highway purposes beginning July 1. The tax refund only pertains to gas purchased in Missouri between Oct. 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. Individuals who buy gas for vehicles weighing less than 26,000 pounds and use their vehicles for highway use are eligible.
The department will require applicants to share the following information to submit a refund claim:
- Vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle into which the motor fuel was delivered
- Date of sale
- Name and address of who is buying
- Name and address of who is selling
- Number of gallons purchased
- Number of gallons purchased and charged Missouri fuel tax, as a separate item.
Applicants do not need to submit their fuel receipts with their refund application, but they must supply the information from each receipt on the worksheet included with Form 4923-H. Claimants are required to retain the original receipts/invoices for a period of three years for department review of the claim.
To request a refund on the 2.5-cent tax increase for fuel used for highway purposes, Missourians will need to complete Form 4923-H at https://dor.mo.gov/forms/. For some helpful FAQs on Missouri’s Motor Fuel Tax, Missourians can visit https://buff.ly/3F0GxIb.
Missouri Families Can Now Apply for Education Scholarships
It was during the 2021 legislative session that the General Assembly approved legislation to empower parents to have access to schools and educational resources that will best meet the needs of their children. This week, the Missouri State Treasurer announced the state is now taking applications for the scholarships through the newly-created MOScholars program.
HB 349 and SB 86 established the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, MOScholars. The law provides state tax credits for contributions to approved, non-profit Educational Assistance Organizations (EAOs). The EAOs use the contributions to award scholarships to Missouri students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and students living in low-income households.
Applications for MOScholars scholarships are now being accepted. To begin the application process, parents or guardians should contact an Educational Assistance Organization (EAO) partnered with the school they would like their child to attend. EAOs will prescreen student applicants to determine eligibility. Once prescreening is complete, the EAO will refer the applicant to the MOScholars online application portal. It is the intention of the State Treasurer and the EAOs to have scholarships available for eligible students to use for the 2022-2023 school year.
MOScholars scholarships are funded through donations to EAOs that may be offset by redeeming tax credits against a donor’s tax liability. Prior to donating to an EAO, individuals and businesses seeking to make a donation to fund scholarships should reserve tax credits in the amount they intend to donate on the Tax Credit Reservation Portal. The Treasurer’s Office anticipates the portal will launch on June 27th. Donors who have reserved credits through the system may begin making donations to EAOs on July 1. The Tax Credit Reservation Portal will be accessible at www.MOScholars.com once it is launched.
“This is an exciting day for qualiFying Missouri students who need educational options,” said Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick. He added, “Our EAO partners, my staff, and I have been working hard to get this program up and ready to begin accepting applications. Now, the program needs donors to help make these scholarships possible. We know there are plenty of eligible students who can benefit from the educational opportunities afforded by this program—and I look forward to seeing MOScholars scholarships put to use this fall.”
More information about the program, including a list of certified EAOs, eligibility requirements, and tax credit specifics can be found at www.MOScholars.com.
