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Oklahoma
State Senate
OFFICE OF SENATOR JAY PAUL
GUMM
Atoka, Bryan, Coal, Johnston & Marshall Counties
For Immediate Release: May 28, 2010
Sen. Jay Paul Gumm
Stronger Penalties for Retailers Refusing to Honor Tax Break
for Disabled Vets Awaiting Signature
Gov. Brad Henry’s desk is the next stop for
a bill protecting the rights of 100 percent disabled veterans. Senate
Bill 1321 beefs up penalties for retailers who refuse to honor a
tax exemption for those vets. Sen. Jay
Paul Gumm was the original author of legislation approved in
2005 granting a sales tax exemption to veterans with a 100 percent
service-connected disability.
“When this law first went on the books we had problems with
compliance, so we later added an administrative fine of $500,”
Gumm said. “When the fine was enacted, we saw compliance jump
to about 90 percent. The problem is we still have at least one nationwide
retailer in particular who refuses to follow this Oklahoma law.”
Under the final version of SB 1321, a first offense would result
in the $500 fine, while a second offense would result in a misdemeanor
charge. In addition all correspondence between the Tax Commission
and the offending retailer would be made open to the press and public.
Currently they are considered confidential communications, shielding
those stores that refuse to honor the sales tax exemption for qualified
vets.
“If the fine and the misdemeanor charge fail to get retailers’
attention, then I’m confident this sunshine provision may
give them the motivation they need to finally obey the law. When
veterans and the public are able to see who is in violation, they
can vote with their feet and spend their dollars elsewhere,”
Gumm said.
The Democrat from Durant said he felt confident that Gov. Henry,
who has a strong record of supporting veterans, would sign the measure
into law.
“I want to thank my fellow members for their support of this
measure, and my House author, Rep. Randy Terrill, for his work winning
approval in the House of Representatives. This is the right thing
to do to ensure Oklahoma’s disabled veterans get the respect
they deserve when they attempt to take advantage of this tax exemption.”
For more information, contact:
Sen. Gumm: (405) 521-5586
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