Taxation in Oklahoma takes many forms. Individuals and corporations in Oklahoma are required to pay taxes or fee charges to both levels of government: state and local. Taxes are collected by the government to support the provisions of public services. The Oklahoma Constitution vested the authority to levy taxes with the Oklahoma Legislature while the Oklahoma Tax Commission is the primary Executive agency responsible for collecting taxes.
The most significant forms of taxation are income tax, sales tax and excise taxes.
Taxes based on income are imposed at the State level, both on individuals and corporations. Oklahoma first enacted an individual income tax in 1915 and then a corporate income tax in 1931. Income taxes are steadily increased as a major State revenue source since 1933 when the Oklahoma Constitution was amended to prohibit State-level taxation of property.
Income taxes are now the largest source of revenue for the State government, accounting for approximately 38% of total state revenue - 32% from individuals and 6% from corporations.
Oklahoma has adopted a progressive income tax for individuals, in which the tax rate increases as the amount of personal income increase.
CorporationsThe corporate income tax rate is a flat tax of 4% for all corporations, regardless of earnings. When established in 1931, the corporate income tax was progressive but became flat in 1935. Revenue PurposeBoth individual and corporate income taxes are earmarked by the Oklahoma Legislature to support specific state agencies and/or funds:
Sales and Use TaxThe State sales tax and use tax was first enacted in 1933 as a temporary one percent tax for the support of public schools. Two years later, the tax was renewed with revenues being deposited into the state General Fund. In 1939, the sales tax rate was increased to two percent with the revenues being used to fund public assistance programs. This remained unchanged until the 1980s when the revenues were redirected back to the General Fund. Additionally, throughout the 1980s, the tax rate was gradually increased from two percent to four percent. In 1990, the passage of the "Education Reform Act" increased the State sales tax rate to its present four and a half percent. State sales taxes are now the second largest source of revenue for the State government, accounting for approximately 27% of total state revenue. Tax RateThe "Oklahoma Sales Tax Code" imposes a 4.5% Statewide tax on the sale of all goods but groceries within the State. The State also levies a 4.5% Statewide tax on the use, storage, and consumption of goods bought out of State. Revenue PurposeBoth the State sales and use taxes are earmarked by the Oklahoma Legislature to support specific state agencies and/or funds:
Gross Production TaxThe State levies a gross production tax on the removal of natural products from Oklahoma's land or water. The gross production tax was established in 1910 to tax the extraction of natural gas and oil. With the elimination of State-level property taxation, the gross production tax began an important source of State revenue. The current State gross production tax takes the form of an excise tax, with the amount of the tax based upon the sale price of oil and natural gas. Gross Production taxes are the fourth largest source of revenue for the State government, accounting for approximately 6% of total state revenue. Tax RatesOklahoma state law has imposed several taxes on the removal of natural resources of the State:
Revenue PurposeThe Oklahoma Legislature has earmarked the revenues from the gross production and petroleum excise tax to support various agencies and/or funds:
Motor Vehicle TaxesThe modern excise tax on motor vehicles was established in 2000. The motor vehicle tax assesses a three and one quarter percent tax on the sale price of all vehicles in the State, new and used. Taxes are collected by local motor license agents (or tag agents) under the supervision of the Tax Commission. State motor vehicle excise taxes are the third largest source of revenue for the State government, accounting for approximately 7% of total state revenue. Tax RatesOklahoma state law has imposed several taxes on motor vehicles of the State:
Revenue PurposeThe Oklahoma Legislature has provided that the excise tax on motor vehicles and boats and the registration fees for motor vehicles and boats are to be apportioned as follows:
All revenues generated from the Aircraft Excise Tax are directed towards the Aeronautics Commission Fund, which supports the operations of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. The Oversized Vehicle Fees are apportioned in the same manner as the motor vehicle taxes and fees on the first $1,216,000 collected each month. Any revenues collected in excess of that amount are deposited into the Weigh Station Improvement Fund, which is used to maintain and expand the State's Weigh stations. Motor Fuel TaxesIn 1923, Oklahoma enacted its first State-level excise tax on motor fuels. The motor vehicle tax has since its enactment been the primary funding mechanize used for the construction and maintenance of State roads and bridges. Prior to the enactment of the fuel tax, the State played a limited role in building the State's transportation infrastructure, primarily overseeing the work conducted by local governments. The current motor fuel taxes are a set amount based upon the amount of fuel purchased and not a percentage of the sale price. The fuel taxes continue to be the State's primary source of funding for infrastructure spending, with a significant portion of the revenues being forwarded to local level government. State motor fuel taxes account for approximately 5% of total state revenue. Tax RatesOklahoma state law levies taxes on both gasoline and diesel motor fuels:
Revenue PurposeOklahoma state law levies taxes on both gasoline and diesel motor fuels:
Tobacco TaxesThe State levies taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products. The State levies an excise tax on cigarettes, as well as various excise taxes on cigars and smoking and chewing tobacco. As Oklahoma is home to numerous Native American tribes, the State has entered into state-tribal tobacco compacts under which the tribes remit taxes to the State derived from the sale of tobacco products on Indian land. State taxes on tobacco products account for approximately 4% of total state revenue. Tax RatesOklahoma state law levies taxes on cigarettes as well as various other tobacco products:
Revenue Purposes
Insurance TaxOklahoma assesses a State level excise tax on insurance premiums paid across the State. The insurance tax is collected by the Oklahoma Insurance Department. While most of the insurance tax is deposited within the General Fund, the revenues also support the Insurance Department and provide revenues for the State's employee retirement systems. Insurance premium taxes account for approximately 2% of total state revenue. Tax Rate
Revenue PurposeRevenues from insurance premium taxes are earmarked by the Oklahoma Legislature to support specific state agencies and/or funds. More than half of the revenues collected are used to support the State's public employee retirement funds, with the remainder allocated to the General Fund.
Alcohol TaxesOklahoma has enacted a number of taxes on alcoholic beverages. The alcoholic beverage tax on liquor is an excise tax varying in amount depending on the alcohol by volume of the drink and an excise tax of $11.25 on each barrel of low-alcohol beer sold. A special sales tax of 13.5% is levied on the sale of all mixed drinks. State taxes on alcoholic beverage products account for approximately 1% of total state revenue. See alsoRelated Research ArticlesA tax is a compulsory financial charge or some other type of levy imposed on a taxpayer by a governmental organization in order to collectively fund government spending, public expenditures, or as a way to regulate and reduce negative externalities. Tax compliance refers to policy actions and individual behaviour aimed at ensuring that taxpayers are paying the right amount of tax at the right time and securing the correct tax allowances and tax relief. The first known taxation took place in Ancient Egypt around 3000–2800 BC. 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An inefficient collection of taxes is greater in countries characterized by poverty, a large agricultural sector and large amounts of foreign aid. The United States federal government and most state governments impose an income tax. They are determined by applying a tax rate, which may increase as income increases, to taxable income, which is the total income less allowable deductions. Income is broadly defined. Individuals and corporations are directly taxable, and estates and trusts may be taxable on undistributed income. Partnerships are not taxed, but their partners are taxed on their shares of partnership income. Residents and citizens are taxed on worldwide income, while nonresidents are taxed only on income within the jurisdiction. Several types of credits reduce tax, and some types of credits may exceed tax before credits. Most business expenses are deductible. 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Tax policy refers to the guidelines and principles established by a government for the imposition and collection of taxes. It encompasses both microeconomic and macroeconomic aspects, with the former focusing on issues of fairness and efficiency in tax collection, and the latter focusing on the overall quantity of taxes to be collected and its impact on economic activity. The tax framework of a country is considered a crucial instrument for influencing the country's economy. Optimal tax theory or the theory of optimal taxation is the study of designing and implementing a tax that maximises a social welfare function subject to economic constraints. The social welfare function used is typically a function of individuals' utilities, most commonly some form of utilitarian function, so the tax system is chosen to maximise the aggregate of individual utilities. 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These taxes reflect Germany's commitment to a balanced approach between direct and indirect taxation, essential for funding extensive social welfare programs and public infrastructure. The modern German tax system accentuate on fairness and efficiency, adapting to global economic trends and domestic fiscal needs. The policy of taxation in the Philippines is governed chiefly by the Constitution of the Philippines and three Republic Acts. Taxation in Brazil is complex, with over sixty forms of tax. Historically, tax rates were low and tax evasion and avoidance were widespread. The 1988 Constitution called for an enhanced role of the State in society, requiring increased tax revenue. In 1960, and again between 1998 and 2004, efforts were made to make the collection system more efficient. Tax revenue gradually increased from 13.8% of GDP in 1947 to 37.4% in 2005. Tax revenue has become quite high by international standards, but without realising commensurate social benefit. More than half the total tax is in the regressive form of taxes on consumption. References
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