Missouri's Revenue Chief Resigns After Taxpayers Face Surprises

[Sherman A1]

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced the resignation of Department of Revenue Director Joel Walters on Friday morning, a move made after months of criticism over the agency’s handling of income tax withholdings.

The issue has led to thousands of Missouri taxpayers either receiving lower refunds or seeing higher bills on their 2018 tax returns, although they will not pay more in overall taxes.

Parson said in a news release that he received Walters' resignation letter on Thursday and his last day will be March 22. Ken Zellers, the Department of Revenue's chief operating officer, was named acting director.

"I appreciate Joel Walters' willingness to devote two years of service to the State of Missouri," Parson said in a statement. "His leadership and transformative vision helped to turn around the Department of Revenue, leading to increased customer service, identifying efficiencies that led to significant budget savings and implementing a number of conservative reforms that helped improve and streamline services for Missouri taxpayers."

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