Oklahoma Sales and Use Tax
What is the Oklahoma sales tax? 4.5%
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The Oklahoma sales tax rate is currently 4.5%. In Oklahoma, each county, city and special district
can add sales taxes on top of the state rate.
Taxes in Oklahoma are destination-based, meaning the Oklahoma sales tax rate is based, or determined from, the destination location an item is shipped to. This complicates business for retailers who need to have the exact and up-to-date sales tax rate for every shipment they make.
To see a full breakout of Oklahoma sales tax rates by state, county, city and special district, use our easy Oklahoma sales tax calculator. After putting in any ZIP code, you can enter a retail price to calculate Oklahoma sales tax totals.
What is the Oklahoma use tax?
The Oklahoma state use tax rate is not the same as the state, county, city and special district sales tax rates.
If you reside in OK, use tax is due to the state on any and all transactions where sales tax has not been paid, even out-of-state internet sales.
Who has to pay Oklahoma sales tax or use tax?
In general, a business must collect and remit all applicable Oklahoma sales taxes if that business has nexus, a physical presence such as a brick-and-mortar location, within a given state. The presence of an employee or salesperson, delivery by the seller's vehicle, and storage of materials usually establishes nexus as well.
Oklahoma says that an out-of-state seller is required to collect tax if they can be defined as "vendors that engage in continuous, regular, or systematic solicitation in the state's consumer market". Oklahoma does not currently have additional laws establishing nexus for other reasons such as out-of-state businesses using in-state affiliates, advertisers or vendors, or businesses that make internet sales or mail catalogs.
If you are not sure if you have established nexus in Oklahoma, you can usually get free help by contacting the Oklahoma State Tax Commission. Click here for an updated listing of direct phone numbers. You could also contact a qualified certified public accountant or lawyer who specializes in tax law in Oklahoma. Click here for listing of recommended resources.
Special rules applying to Oklahoma:
- Shipping is taxable.
- Finance charges are exempt from sales tax, when stated separately.
- Clothing is taxed at the same rate as the general sales tax.
- Oklahoma Sales tax holidays are held for some back to school items .
Since Oklahoma legislators can vote to change the Oklahoma sales tax and use tax rates at any time, it is very difficult for individuals to keep track of the changes. The population of OK state is also rapidly changing, which can cause frequent updates to the ZIP codes and local municipality names and complicates the job of keeping track of Oklahoma sales tax jurisdictions.