SCR 11 is a concurrent resolution expressing the Oklahoma Legislature's intent to reduce the individual income tax rate by 0.25% for taxpayers. It directly affects all Oklahomans who pay individual income tax, aiming to return revenue to citizens while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The resolution urges state agencies to eliminate budget waste - particularly for unfilled positions - and protect core services like education and public safety during potential spending reductions. It does not enact a tax cut but formally states legislative intent to pursue this policy change during the upcoming session, citing Oklahoma's strong financial position with over $5 billion in reserves.
SB 474 requires businesses that buy goods to resell (like wholesalers) to obtain a free permit from the Oklahoma Tax Commission to claim sales tax exemption on those purchases. Vendors must honor valid permits, and claiming exemption without one is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000. Permits expire June 30 annually and can be verified electronically by sellers through a system developed by the Tax Commission. This replaces the previous system where businesses could self-claim the exemption without verification. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026.
HB 2894 amends Oklahoma's Tourism Development Act to adjust sales tax credit rules for tourism projects. It provides up to 10% tax credits for projects costing $500,000-$1 million and up to 25% for projects over $1 million, but credits cannot exceed the state's potential sales tax revenue from the project. The bill allows tourism developers in Entertainment Districts to pass credits to tenants or receive incentive payments based on tenant sales tax collections, subject to a $30 million annual cap on all inducements. Developers must verify expenditures with independent audits, and credits cannot be transferred except as specified for Entertainment District tenants.
SB 49 adds a new sales tax exemption for nonprofit organizations providing services to abused and neglected children in Oklahoma. The bill amends Oklahoma’s sales tax code to exempt these specific nonprofits from paying sales tax on purchases directly related to their child welfare services. To qualify, organizations must submit required documentation proving their services align with this exemption, which applies to tangible personal property and services used for this purpose. This policy change directly affects eligible child welfare nonprofits by reducing their operational costs.
HB 1854 amends Oklahoma's sales tax exemption rules to expand relief for certain nonprofits and public entities. It adds a new exemption for admission ticket surcharges used solely to repay debt for college athletic or cultural facilities (e.g., stadiums, theaters), and broadens tax exemptions for purchases made by specific public authorities and agencies on behalf of state projects. The bill also requires vendors to verify that purchases are for qualifying public entities to prevent misuse. This directly affects colleges, public authorities, and vendors selling to these organizations, reducing their sales tax burden on eligible transactions. The bill is currently in committee review and has not yet become law.
HB 2218 creates a state tax rebate program to support local music performances in Oklahoma. It provides rebates on sales tax or drink sales tax collected by venues during eligible events, capped at $10 million annually. To qualify, events must feature Oklahoma-based performers (individuals or businesses owned by Oklahomans) for at least 30 minutes, with venues paying performers at least $100 per event. The rebate limits are $2,000 per event and $50,000 per venue yearly, applying to both ticketed and unticketed venues that sell taxable goods or drinks.
SB 151 creates the Oklahoma Neighborhood Revitalization Fund to provide grants for aesthetic improvements in small municipalities. It directs sales tax revenue to fund projects like sidewalk repairs, street lighting, and roadside beautification for cities with under 25,000 residents. Municipalities must contribute 20% of project costs (capped at $500,000) and apply by May 1, 2026, with funds distributed by October 1, 2026. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce reviews applications and allocates funds exclusively for approved improvements, prohibiting use for other purposes.
HB 2742 clarifies and updates definitions related to Oklahoma's cigarette and heated tobacco product excise tax system. It defines "cigarette" to explicitly include heated tobacco products and creates new rules for "delivery sales" (such as online or mail orders to consumers). The bill affects cigarette manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and online sellers by specifying tax obligations for these transactions. Key provisions include redefining terms like "wholesaler," "retailer," and "delivery sale," and clarifying tax exemptions for sales to veterans hospitals, the U.S. government, and other specific entities. This is a procedural tax administration bill, not a new tax rate change.
SJR 23 proposes moving Oklahoma's property tax rules from the state constitution to statutes while introducing alternatives for local taxation. It would fully exempt the primary residence value of Oklahomans aged 65+ from property taxes, allow temporary freezes on property values for other residents, and authorize counties to replace property taxes with voter-approved consumption taxes (like a sales tax) for local funding. The bill modifies how homestead property values are calculated and sets new caps on value increases for qualifying homes. This would directly affect homeowners (especially seniors), counties (which could propose new tax structures), and voters (who must approve tax changes).
SB 1095 prohibits merchants from charging network fees or interchange transaction fees on specific parts of credit card transactions in Oklahoma. It directly affects merchants processing payments for sales tax, excise tax, customer tips, and donations to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The bill bans these fees for those transaction portions, ensuring merchants cannot pass these costs to customers for these specific purposes. The law takes effect November 1, 2025. This is a concrete policy change to reduce costs for certain transaction types, not a procedural or commemorative measure.
