SB 681 - This act allows any city in this state to designate duty free zones within such city and grant such areas tax favored status for a term not to exceed twenty-three years. Tax favored status is defined as a reduction to or elimination of the rate of tax on transactions imposed under Missouri's sales and use tax laws. Duty free zones may only be established in blighted areas located within qualified census tracts. The act requires the governing body of the city to hold public hearings prior to the adoption of an ordinance designating an area of such municipality as a duty free zone. The act requires the governing body to provide notice of such hearings to affected taxing districts and the public. Upon receiving municipal approval, the designation must be approved, at the same rate of tax and term, by the county or counties in which the city is located and by the Missouri Development Finance Board. Upon the issuance of a certificate of approval from the Missouri Development Finance Board, any business located within a duty free zone may receive tax favored status for a term not to exceed fifteen years. In order to receive tax favored status, a business owner must report the amount of taxes deferred, on an availability basis, for the duration of the time in which it receives tax favored status. Municipalities are prohibited from having more than one duty free zone in existence, within such municipality, at any given time.
The act contains a contingent effective date. The provisions of the act will become effective upon voter approval of a constitutional amendment authorizing tax free or reduced tax zones for the purpose of promoting economic development.
This act is Identical to Senate Bill 32 (2009) and similar to the provisions of Senate Bill 1012 (2008).
JASON ZAMKUS