§ 143.781 RSMo — Authority to make credits or refunds — authority to make setoffs for debts owed to state agencies

1. The director of revenue within the applicable period of limitations may credit an overpayment of income tax and interest on such overpayment against any liability in respect of any tax imposed by the tax laws of this state on the person who made the overpayment, and the balance shall be refunded if it exceeds one dollar. Overpayments shall be determined by taking into account any deposit made by a taxpayer under section 143.631 , except a deposit which has been returned to a taxpayer pursuant to a written request. Unless directed otherwise by a taxpayer, the director of revenue may credit all or part of the overpayment of a taxpayer on a joint or combined return against the amount of tax due from his spouse.

2. If the amount allowable as a credit for tax withheld from the taxpayer exceeds his tax to which the credit relates, the excess shall be considered an overpayment.

3. If there has been an overpayment of tax required to be deducted and withheld under section 143.191 , refund shall be made to the employer only to the extent that the amount of the overpayment was not deducted and withheld by the employer.

4. The director of revenue may prescribe regulations providing for the crediting against the estimated income tax for any taxable year of the amount determined to be an overpayment of the income tax for a preceding taxable year.

5. If any amount of income tax is assessed or collected after the expiration of the period of limitations properly applicable thereto, such amount shall be considered an overpayment.

6. The provisions of sections 143.781 to 143.841 to the contrary notwithstanding, a refund, or any portion thereof, shall be transferred to the state agency to set off a debt due and owing to the state agency as provided in sections 143.782 to 143.788 . When any action is taken pursuant to sections 143.782 to 143.788 , the provisions of sections 143.782 to 143.788 shall govern all aspects of any rights and entitlement to refunds covered by such action. If there is a final determination that the taxpayer is entitled to receive all or part of the setoff pursuant to the provisions of sections 143.782 to 143.788 , the amount to which the taxpayer is entitled shall bear interest as provided in section 143.811 , beginning sixty days after such setoff.