Mississippi
Could Mississippi get rid of its state income tax? What Mid-South residents should know
Gov. Tate Reeves signs executive order on A.I. in state agencies
Gov. Tate Reeves signed Executive Order 1584 on Jan. 8, 2025.
The Mississippi House of Representatives passed a tax cut that would eliminate the state income tax among other measures.
There is uncertainty as to whether the Senate will pass the Bill, as leadership there is considering a different approach to tax cuts. House Bill 1, referred to as the Build Up Mississippi Act, would not go into effect until Fiscal Year 2027 if passed this year.
Here’s what to know about the state’s income tax and what would come of HB 1.
Mississippi state income tax
House Bill No. 1, dubbed the Build Up Mississippi Act, passed with 88 votes. Of them, at least nine were Democrats and two were independents. There were 24 no votes, consisting only of Democrats.
If the Bill is passed by both committees, it would:
- Eliminate $2.2 billion in income tax revenues over 10 years. The cut would become active once the state’s income tax is phased down to 4% by Fiscal Year 2027.
- Reduce state sales tax on groceries from 7% to 2.5% while adjusting tax structure on other items to offset the costs.
- Removes state sales tax diversions to municipalities and replaces it with a local-option 1.5% local sales tax. Cities will have the option to opt-out of this tax structure. Lamar said this will result in local tax revenue increases across the state.
- Sales tax collected at 1.5% in counties will be diverted to road and bridge infrastructure needs at the county level.
- Add a fuel sales tax of 5% on retail sale of gasoline. This would be in addition to the state fuel tax already imposed. Lamar said this would add $400 million to the state budget, and all of those additional funds would go to the Mississippi Department of Transportation for road and bridge projects.
- The $80 million that was going to MDOT per year from gambling revenue will now be headed toward the Public Employee Retirement Systems of Mississippi to address a $25 billion deficit in future retirement benefits.
- Establishes a “budget stabilization fund” that will act as a secondary rainy-day fund.
The bill, however, will not include an income tax cut for sex workers in Mississippi, who will be taxed at 5% of their income once the tax cut is fully phased in.
Before voting on the bill, several Democrats questioned whether the tax package would actually end up costing the state more money down the road and causing revenue shortfalls. They also questioned whether moving to a consumption-based economy would result in poorer people paying more money out of pockets because of increases in costs due to the new gas tax and sales tax model.
After 2016 when the state passed several tax cuts, revenue shortfalls ensued, causing former Gov. Phil Bryant to make emergency budget cuts several times. Numerous county Mississippi State Department of Health County offices closed and state grant matches for federally funded infrastructure projects were put at risk.
Under the House plan, sales taxes excluding groceries would essentially amount to 8.5%, which still puts Mississippi at a lower sales tax than its neighbors. Mississippi has an average sales tax of 7.06% when combining state and local taxes.
Arkansas and Tennessee taxes
Arkansas has a state income tax between 2% and 4.40%. Depending on how much a person earns, they can pay more or less in taxes. Here, the sales tax is 6.5%. Combined, local and state sales taxes come out to be about 9.45% which makes it the third most expensive for sales tax. Arkansas’ grocery tax is 0.125% making it the lowest grocery tax of the 13 states that still have one.
Tennessee does not have a state income tax and is one of eight states to not have one. The sales tax in Tennessee is 7% but ends up being about 9.55% when coupled with local sales taxes. This makes Tennessee the second for most expensive sales taxes in the country behind Louisiana with 9.56%. The grocery tax is 4% in Tennessee making it the fifth most expensive state for groceries.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 28, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from April 28 drawing
01-03-09-22-31
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from April 28 drawing
Midday: 6-2-9, FB: 8
Evening: 1-1-2, FB: 1
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from April 28 drawing
Midday: 5-0-9-8, FB: 8
Evening: 1-8-8-1, FB: 1
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 28 drawing
Midday: 08
Evening: 15
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Medical marijuana is having a moment in clinical trials
Cannabis has medical promise, but doctors still can’t prescribe it. A Harvard psychiatrist explains why science and policy lag behind.
Federal drug policy is undergoing a major shift. It could affect Mississippi medical marijuana.
President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order changing the classification for medical marijuana at the federal level. It affected products that states license for medical use and Food and Drug Administration-approved marijuana products.
On April 23, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order shifting them from the highest level of regulation, Schedule I, to the less restrictive Schedule III.
“This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information,” Blanche said in a statement.
Did Trump legalize marijuana?
No. Weed has not been legalized across the country.
The newest changes only downgrade the penalties if someone has medical marijuana in a way that violates federal law.
Trump also signed an executive order in December easing some federal penalties for recreational use. It did not legalize the drug nationally or override state marijuana laws.
The DOJ will have an expedited hearing on June 29 regarding more broadly reclassifying marijuana. The reclassification push started under former President Joe Biden, and Trump signed an executive action in December.
Weed is still classified as a Schedule I drug under federal law, but it would move to Schedule III if the proposed reclassification is finalized.
Do people want marijuana legalized?
About half of all U.S. states have decided to fully legalize weed for adult, non-medical use.
A 2025 Gallup poll survey showed that 64% of Americans wanted weed to be legal.
After Trump signed his December executive order to reclassify marijuana, more than 20 Republican senators, including Mississippi’s Cindy Hyde-Smith, sent Trump a letter saying the drug is “harmful to its users.” They urged him to change his mind.
What does the federal medical marijuana change mean in Mississippi?
Generally, the new shift will make it easier for the medical marijuana industry to operate. Business operators can file business deductions on their federal taxes.
It should also make it easier to do related research.
Is medical marijuana legal in Mississippi?
Yes. Medical marijuana is legal to buy and use through the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program.
To buy medical marijuana, you must have a medical cannabis card issued by Mississippi. State‑registered doctors can prescribe weed for more than 20 qualifying conditions, including cancer, glaucoma and Parkinson’s disease. Check the list maintained by the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program to see if you qualify.
There are fees for patients and caregivers, as well as additional costs for doctor visits. Health insurance does not cover medical marijuana.
It’s sold at approved dispensaries.
Cardholders may buy no more than 24 Mississippi Medical Cannabis Equivalency Units (MMCEUs) in a 30‑day period and can possess up to 28 MMCEUs at one time.
Can you buy medical marijuana in Mississippi if you live out of state?
Yes. Non-residents can get medical marijuana here with limits.
People who don’t live in Mississippi can apply for temporary medical marijuana cards up to twice a year. Each temporary card is valid for 15 days and requires proof of medical marijuana eligibility in the person’s home state.
Non‑residents may buy up to 6 MMCEUs per week or 12 per 15‑day period.
Is recreational marijuana legal in Mississippi?
No. Mississippi does not allow recreational marijuana.
But the state has eased penalties for small amounts. Possession can still lead to fines, jail time or felony charges. It all depends on the situation.
Contributing: Zac Anderson
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 27, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from April 27 drawing
11-15-26-29-33
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from April 27 drawing
Midday: 5-5-3, FB: 8
Evening: 0-1-6, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from April 27 drawing
Midday: 7-1-2-0, FB: 8
Evening: 5-6-7-1, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 27 drawing
Midday: 06
Evening: 06
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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