Edmond Senator Files Legislation to Add More School Supplies to Tax-Free Weekend

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – On Monday Senator Kristen Thompson (R-Edmond), announced the filing of legislation for additional school supplies to be exempt from sales taxes during Oklahoma’s tax-free weekend.

“I know as a mom, every little bit helps,” said Senator Thompson.

Senate Bill 231 exemptions would include school supplies such as backpacks, binders, pens, pencils, markers, and notebooks from state and local sales taxes. Under the bill cleats, gloves, mouth guards, shoulder pads, and goggles would also be tax-exempt.

“Right before school starts or right after school has started for a couple of our districts in the state, there’s the tax free holiday and so it’s a great opportunity for Oklahomans to get out and stock up on what they need,” Said Thompson. “Right now, how the law is written is, it’s clothing and things like that are $100 or less.”

“A lot of families don’t know until they actually get to the checkout line that things like school supplies and athletic gear are not covered,” said Thompson. “So what we’re doing with this bill is that we’re just adding the school supplies and the athletic gear.”

Oklahoma’s tax-free weekend currently does not include special clothing, footwear, or accessories designed for athletic activities. Presently, clothes and shoes that cost under $100 dollars are exempt from sales taxes during the first weekend in August, tax-free weekend.