Governor Stitt Statement on Tax Commission Ruling

Governor Kevin Stitt released the following statement after the Oklahoma Tax Commission ruled in favor of the state reaffirming that all Oklahoma citizens must pay individual state income taxes:

“I am pleased to learn that today the Tax Commission released a decision reaffirming that every Oklahoma citizen is required to pay their fair share. This is a ruling in favor of certainty, fairness, and equality for all Oklahomans. We all drive on the same roads, send our kids to the same public schools and benefit from the same state services, so it is only right that every citizen of the state of Oklahoma, regardless of race or heritage, should contribute their fair share.”

9,261 taxpayers have claimed an exemption from state taxation due to the tribal income exclusion, from the period of August 2020 to September 20, 2022. Of those who disagreed with the Tax Commission’s handling of the claimed exemption, 642 filed protests.

Estimates project a potential loss of $75 million in state revenue each year if courts were to expand the Supreme Court’s July 2020 decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma, a decision which was narrowly tailored to only impact criminal law.

The order can be read here.