Oklahoma Sales Tax

The current state sales tax rate in Oklahoma (OK) is 4.5 percent. The total tax rate might be as high as 11.5 percent depending on local municipalities. Other, local-level tax rates in Oklahoma are relatively complex when compared to other states’ local-level tax rates. The city, county, school, transportation, and SPD (special purpose district) levels may all levy sales taxes in Oklahoma. Because of the large number of jurisdictions, the Oklahoma sales tax is complicated and time-consuming to manage and maintain. Oklahoma was named one of the top 10 tax-friendly states for retirees by Kiplinger in 2011. The only “…thing to keep an eye on is that cities, municipalities, and counties may collect additional sales taxes, bringing the total sales tax rate to over 8%.” When taxable tangible personal property or services are delivered or transferred within Oklahoma, sales tax is required to be collected. Oklahoma, as a Streamlined Sales Tax state, invites out-of-state firms that are not required to collect sales tax to register with the state.

Sales Tax Rates in Oklahoma by County

In Oklahoma, when do you have to charge sales tax?

If your business has a sales tax nexus in Oklahoma, you must charge sales tax. In different states, the term “sales tax nexus” signifies different things. It could be having a physical site (e.g., a brick and mortar business) or having someone working for you in the state. It can also refer to having a ‘affiliate’ or ‘click through’ sales tax nexus in the case of ecommerce.

Check the Oklahoma government’s sales tax website to see if you should be charging sales tax in your state.

In Oklahoma, which items are exempt from sales tax?

Prescription medications, for example, are free from sales tax in Oklahoma. There are also Oklahoma sales tax exemptions that can be used if the seller or buyer meets specific requirements.

Check the Oklahoma government’s tax website for a complete list of exemptions.

What is Oklahoma known for?

Oklahoma is known for:

• American football
• Oil
• Tornadoes

Oklahoma Fun Facts

• The name “Oklahoma” comes from two Choctaw Indian words: “okla” meaning people, and “humma” meaning red, so the state’s name literally means “red people.”
• The Land Rush of 1889 permitted settlers to claim the Unassigned Lands in present-day Oklahoma. Some settlers tried to beat the system by entering the area before the official start at noon on April 22, 1889. These settlers were called the Sooners, and that’s where Oklahoma got its nickname.
• Cimarron County is the only county in the U.S. that touches four states: Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Kansas.
• Oklahoma has more than 200 man-made lakes. That’s more than any other state in the United States.
• The world’s largest concrete totem pole is in Foyil, Oklahoma. It is 90 feet tall and 30 feet around at its widest point.
• Oklahoma is the main producer of iodine in the United States.
• Shopping cart was invented in Oklahoma. Sylvan Goldman, owner of the Hympty Dumpty supermarket chain in Oklahoma City, introduced the “folding basket carriers” on June 4, 1937.
• The world’s first parking meter, known as Park-O-Meter No. 1, is installed on the southeast corner of what was then First Street and Robinson Avenue in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on July 16, 1935.
• Oklahoma is one of only two states whose capital city’s name includes the state name. The other is Indianapolis, Indiana.
• The first official tornado forecast and the first successful tornado forecast in recorded history happened at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1948.
• In 1907, Oklahoma became the last state to declare Christmas as a legal holiday.
• In 1977, Oklahoma became the first state to adopt lethal injection as a means of execution.

Tourist Attractions in Oklahoma

• Broken Bow Lake: Reservoir in southeastern Oklahoma.
• Cain’s Ballroom: historic music venue in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• Chickasaw National Recreation Area: National recreation area in Sulphur, Oklahoma.
• Frontier City: Theme park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
• Gilcrease Museum: Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• Museum of Osteology: Museum devoted to the study of bones and skeletons, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
• Oklahoma Aquarium: Aquarium in Jenks, Oklahoma.
• Oklahoma City National Memorial: Museum and memorial honoring all who were affected by the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995. It is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
• Oklahoma City Zoo: Zoo in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
• Robbers Cave State Park: State park in Wilburton, Oklahoma.
• Science Museum Oklahoma: Science museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
• Tulsa Performing Arts Center: Theater in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• Tulsa Zoo: Zoo in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• Turner Falls: Waterfall in Davis, Oklahoma.
• White Water Bay: Water park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.