Oklahoma Senate Bill SB971

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Income tax; providing credit for certain school choice and qualifying educational expenses. Effective date.

Impact

If enacted, SB971 would allow families to offset their tax liabilities through these credits, specifically targeting educational expenditures. This initiative reflects a broader trend toward promoting educational choice among parents, potentially empowering them to select schools that best meet their children's needs. The bill may also stimulate financial activity in private and charter schools as families look to take advantage of the credits available. However, it explicitly prohibits taxpayers from itemizing deduction claims for expenses associated with the credits to prevent double-dipping.

Summary

Senate Bill 971 introduces a new income tax credit aimed at providing financial relief for families with children enrolled in various educational settings, including public, charter, and private institutions. This credit is designed for taxpayers who have dependents eligible for public schooling and allows for a maximum credit of $3,500 per qualifying dependent. The bill outlines definitions for 'educational choice expenses'—which encompass tuition and fees for non-public schools—and 'qualifying educational expenses.' It is set to come into effect for the tax year 2024 and subsequent years.

Contention

The passage of SB971 may encounter opposition on various fronts. Critics argue that while it promotes school choice, it could detrimentally affect public funding for education by diverting state tax revenues away from public schools. Moreover, there is a concern that the implementation of such tax credits might exacerbate inequalities between families that can afford additional educational expenses and those that cannot. The absence of requirements for schools or organizations to verify claims may also raise apprehensions about potential abuses of the credit system.