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For Immediate Release:
February 22, 2008
Sen. Don Barrington
Bill Extending Back to School Sales Tax
Holiday Heads to Senate
A measure to extend Oklahoma's Back to School
sales tax holiday to include more items passed its first hurdle
this week. Senate Bill 1149, by State Sen. Don Barrington, adds
school supplies, school art supplies and school instructional materials
used by students to the list of items already exempt from sales
tax during the first weekend in August. Barrington also authored
SB 861 that created the sales tax holiday.
"Last year's sales tax holiday was a great success and Oklahomans
saved millions of dollars, but we can do even more for Oklahoma
families," said Barrington, R-Lawton. "Every year, parents
spend hundreds, and sometimes even thousands, of dollars on school
supplies including the basics like paper and pencils, but also on
items such as computers and school computer supplies. By making
these items tax free, we'll be helping their hard-earned money go
even further."
Currently, clothing and footwear valued up to $100 are tax-free
during the first weekend in August. Barrington’s bill would
expand the list of tax-free items to include school supplies such
as pencils, paper, crayons, notebooks, calculators, instructional
materials and computers that cost under $100 as well.
The Tax Commission estimates that taxpayers could save up to $18
million in fiscal year 2010 under this bill. If approved and signed
into law, the measure would go into effect July 1, 2009.
For more information contact:
Senator Barrington's Office: (405) 521-5563
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