Branson, Missouri

Branson is a city in Taney County, Missouri, United States. It was named for Rueben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/north_america/branson/history.htm href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/north_america/branson/history.htm">[1]Historically, Branson was a small city. Today it is sometimes referred to as a "Family-Friendly Las Vegas" because of the numerous shows and attractions, as well as the flashy building decorations and neon lights.

Originally envisioned as a center for lumber shipment from the Ozark Mountains, the city began to develop tourism in the 1930s. Today, Branson is a major national destination in the United States with a well-known reputation for live music theaters. The city hosts three major amusement parks, as well as a diversified armada of live theaters that house everything from comedy and magic shows to variety music and dancing. Built along a portion of Highway 76 nicknamed "The Strip" because of its Las-Vegas-style roadside neon signs, Branson has built its reputation as the family-friendly version of its Nevada counterpart.

In the early 1960s the Hershend family opened Silver Dollar City, an 1880s-themed craft village on the site of Marvel Cave. Over the years Branson has grown to include more than 100 live shows in nearly 52 theaters; other tourist attractions include museums, three pristine lakes, http://www.golfbranson.com/ href="http://www.golfbranson.com/">12 championship golf courses, year-round festivals and events, nearby mountains and wilderness areas.

Famous celebrities in Branson have included Glen Campbell, Cristy Lane, Phyllis Diller, Roy Clark, Moe Bandy, Wayne Newton, Mel Tillis, Rich Little, Ann-Margaret, Ray Stevens, Gladys Knight, Jim Stafford, Boxcar Willie, Andy Williams, Bobby Vinton, Charlie Pride, Tony Orlando, Petula Clark, Mickey Gilley, Oak Ridge Boys, Yakov Smirnoff, Kenny Rogers, Charo, Pat Boone, Robert Goulet, Barbara, Louise and Irlene Mandrell, Johnny Cash, and The Osmonds. In the spring of 2006, the surviving members of the original Bill Haley & His Comets began a long-term residency at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater.

Another museum in Branson is the American Presidents Museum, one of only six similar museums in the nation, the American Presidents Museum showcases the lives and Presidency of those that have led the United States. The American Presidents Museum is under the direction of the National Center for Presidential Studies, a private non-profit educational organization.

Population:

Population (year 2000): 6,050

Males                          2,810                          46.4%

Females                     3,240                          53.6%

Median Age--36 Years

Ancestries: German (18.7%), English (14.5%), Irish (11.9%), United States (10.4%), French (4.1%), Dutch (2.9%).

Races in Branson:

• White Non-Hispanic (92.0%)
• Hispanic (4.3%)
• Two or more races (1.6%)
• American Indian (1.5%)
• Other race (1.5%)
• Black (0.8%)

Geographic:

Elevation: 722 feet

Land area: 16.2 square miles.

Population density--374 per square mile--very low.

Branson-area historical tornado activity is slightly below Missouri state average. It is 38% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 11/29/1991, a category 4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 32.1 miles away from the Branson city center killed 2 people and injured 64 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.

On 4/2/1982, a category 3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado 28.1 miles away from the city center injured 5 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.

In-Depth Facts and Figures as listed below, plus other information:

·        Climate Charts

1.     Average Temperature

2.     Precipitation (Rain)

3.     Humidity

4.     Wind Speed (MPH)

5.     Snowfall

6.     Sunshine

7.     Cloudy Days

·        Tornado Activity History

·        Hospitals & Medical

·        Airports

·        Colleges/Universities

·        High Schools

·        Locations of Interest

·        Shopping Centers

·        Churches

·        Lakes/Streams/Rivers/Creeks/Parks

·        Tourist Attractions

·        Banks

·        Housing Costs Information

·        Crime Statistics

·        Radio Stations AM/FM

·        TV Broadcast Stations

·        Discussion Forums

For the above information and photos, click this link:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Missouri.html

Total Tax Burden--Data for Calculation

MISSOURI
Sales Taxes
State Sales Tax: 4.225% (prescription drugs exempt; food is taxed at 1.225%)
Gasoline Tax: 17.6 cents/gallon
Diesel Fuel Tax: 17.6 cents/gallon
Cigarette Tax: 17 cents/pack of 20

Personal Income Taxes
Tax Rate Range: - 1.5%; High - 6%
Income Brackets: Lowest - $1,000; Highest - $9,000 [Tax is imposed at a rate of 1-1/2 percent on the first $1,000 of taxable income and increases at a rate of 1/2 percent for every $1,000 increment up to $9,000.  The tax rate is 6 percent on Missouri taxable income exceeding $9,000.]
Number of Brackets: 10
Personal Exemptions: Single - $2,100; Married - $4,200; Dependents - $1,200; Plus $1,000 for dependent 65 or older.
Standard Deduction: Single - $5,150; Married filing jointly - $10,300. Deduction increases for those age 65 and older.
Medical/Dental Deduction: Federal amount
Federal Income Tax Deduction: The state allows a deduction on your individual income tax return for the amount of federal tax you paid.  The deduction is for the amount actually paid as indicated on your federal tax form.
Retirement Income Taxes: For taxable years beginning in 2007, Missouri resident taxpayers are allowed a state income tax deduction for Social Security benefits received by individuals 62 years of age or older, Social Security disability benefits, and nonprivate retirement system benefits received by individuals 62 years of age or older, to the extent these benefits are included in federal adjusted gross income.  Generally, the maximum amount of benefits that can be deducted is as follows: 20% for 2007; 35% for 2008; 50% for 2009; 65% for 2010; 80% for 2011; and 100% for 2012 and thereafter.  However, in the case of nonprivate retirement benefits, the deduction is further limited to $6,000, and the amount of benefits for which the deduction may be claimed is limited to the maximum Social Security benefit amount for the tax year.  A single taxpayer, head of household, qualifying widow(er), or married taxpayer filing a separate return with an adjusted gross income of $85,000 or less or a married taxpayer filing a combined return with an adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less will qualify for the maximum deduction.  If a taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds the ceiling amount for the taxpayer's filing status, the deduction will be decreased by $1 for every $1 by which the taxpayer's income exceeds the ceiling amount.  If a taxpayer receives both Social security benefits and nonprivate retirement benefits, the maximum deduction for the nonprivate retirement benefits will be decreased by $1 for every $1 of Social security benefits received by the taxpayer that are not included in Missouri adjusted gross income. Changes have recently been made to taxes on retirement income, check with the state tax office listed below.

Retired Military Pay:  For individuals with a modified state adjusted gross income of less than $25,000 or a married couple with a combined income of $32,000, a government pension exemption of up to $6,000 is allowed.  If a husband and wife each receive a government pension, each can qualify for an exemption of up to $6,000.  SBP benefits are taxed following federal rules.
Military Disability Retired Pay: Disability Portion - Length of Service Pay; Member on September 24, 1975 - No tax; Not Member on September 24, 1975 - Taxed, unless combat incurred.  Retired Pay - Based solely on disability: Member on September 24, 1975 - No tax; Not Member on September 24, 1975 - Taxed, unless all pay based on disability and disability resulted from armed conflict, extra-hazardous service, simulated war, or an instrumentality of war.
VA Disability Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: Not subject to federal or state taxes
Military SBP/SSBP/RCSBP/RSFPP: Generally subject to state taxes for those states with income tax.  Check with state department of revenue office.

Property Taxes 
Residential property is assessed at 19% of its fair market value.  Personal property is assessed at rates ranging from 5% to 33.3%.  The Missouri Property Tax Credit Claim gives credit to certain senior citizens and 100 percent disabled individuals for a portion of the real estate taxes or rent they have paid for the year.  The credit is for a maximum of $750 and can only be claimed on the home they occupied during the period being claimed.  The actual credit is based on the amount of real estate taxes or rent paid and total household income.

The Homestead Preservation Credit gives qualified senior citizens and 100 percent disabled individuals a credit on their real estate property tax if those taxes increase 2.5 percent in a non-reassessment year or 5 percent in a reassessment year.  The credit would be for the amount that exceeds the 2.5 or 5 percent increase in taxes.  The act requires a legislative appropriation to fund the credit.  If the funding is less than 100 percent, the credit will be a flat statewide percentage based on the appropriation amount.  This credit will be applied against the taxes for the following year.  Call 573-751-3503 for details or click here.  

Inheritance and Estate Taxes
Since the IRS will no longer allow a state death tax credit for deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2005, no Missouri estate tax is imposed.  Therefore, no estate tax return must be filed for deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2005.

For information about moving to Missouri, click here.  For further information about state taxes, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue site.

Cost of Living Calculators Links:

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html?step=form&x=36&y=3

http://cityrating.com/costofliving.asp

http://www.relocationessentials.com/aff/www/tools/salary/col.aspx

http://swz.salary.com/CostofLivingWizard/layoutscripts/coll_start.asp

Wikipedia Information Link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branson,_Missouri