State Rep. Doug Richey Files Legislation to Provide Tax Relief to Expecting Parents

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Representative Doug Richey wants to extend the tax break for dependents to parents who are expecting a child. Richey filed legislation to allow the state’s existing tax deduction for dependents to also apply to pre-born children.

Under current Missouri law, a taxpayer may deduct $1,200 for each dependent. Richey’s HB 457 would allow parents to also deduct $1,200 for each unborn child. Under the bill, the pregnancy would have to be confirmed by a physician.

“As couples manage prenatal expenses, time away from work, domestic preparations, and costs of medical complications, the state should respect the couples’ priorities in caring for their pre-born children,” said Richey, R – Excelsior Springs. “HB 457 shows that respect by extending the dependent tax deduction to pre-born children.”