Oklahoma Grocery Tax Cut To Take Effect Late Summer Following Budget Passage

With the passage of the state budget, Oklahomans will soon save money at the grocery store. State lawmakers cut the state’s portion of taxes on groceries. Lawmakers said people can expect to see savings at the end of August.  

Most of us can relate to a cart filled with food and an empty wallet after checkout. 

“Groceries are very, very high right now,” said Myrtle Taylor, who lives in Oklahoma City. “It is hard to feed a family.” 

Taylor has enough to worry about already. She pushes through each day because She’s coming off surgery.  

“I’ve been off work since December,” Taylor said. “I’ve been having to rehab myself, having to walk all over again, having to talk all over again. I almost died.” 

Her grocery bill at the checkout counter adds another cost to her life. 

“A lot of people don’t get any assistance,” Taylor said. 

The Consumer Price Index shows the cost of food is up three-point-four percent from the spring of last year. 

“I need all the help I can get,” Taylor said. 

This year, lawmakers cut the state’s four-point-five percent grocery tax – which is expected to save the average Oklahoman $400 per year. People will feel relief in about 90 days.  

“Halleluiah because we need it,” Taylor said. 

Sen. Julia Kirt (D-Oklahoma City), said lawmakers disagree on many things, but they joined together for this. 

“When we came together, we were able to get something really good done, which is what the people of Oklahoma want us to do,” Kirt said. “This was a time when we really put people first over politics.” 

Kirt said the tax cut overs A chance for people like Myrtle to leave the store with less worry and a little extra cash to spare. 

 “This is gonna be a blessing,” Taylor said. 

Counties and municipalities can still charge taxes. Those taxes help pay for roads and EMS services. 

Some things are not covered under the grocery tax cut. That includes ready-to-eat foods, like pre-packaged foods and fruit bowls, as well as alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.