Senator Barrington: Sales Tax Holiday to Help Oklahoma Families, Retailers

The author of the legislation creating Oklahoma’s back-to-school sales tax holiday said the annual tax break will help Oklahoma families and retailers. The Oklahoma Legislature passed Senate Bill 861, by Lawton State Senator Don Barrington, during the 2007 legislative session.

The bill created a three-day sales tax holiday on the first weekend of August each year, beginning August 3rd this year, allowing purchases of clothing and shoes up to $100 to be made free of sales tax.

“The sales tax holiday will help Oklahoma families save money on back-to-school clothes and shoes for their children,” said Barrington. “It also will help Oklahoma businesses keep and attract customers, especially along Oklahoma’s borders.”

In addition to creating the annual sales tax holiday, Barrington’s legislation also provided an income tax cut to Oklahoma’s workers, eliminated the franchise tax for thousands of small businesses, and created a childcare tax credit for stay-at-home parents.

EDITORS NOTE: On Wednesday, Gov. Brad Henry approved administrative rules that will govern the operation of Oklahoma’s sales tax holiday.