New Bill Proposes Plan To Give $1,000 Tax Credit To Oklahoma Public School Parents

Oklahoma public-school parents could be getting a $1,000 tax break from the state for 2021 if lawmakers approve a new house bill.

The House Appropriations & Budget Committee approved the plan with support from both parties, the entire House will review it next.

Proposed by State Representative Ryan Martinez out of Edmond, House Bill 1927 would give a $1,000 refund to parents or guardians of public-school students, pre-k through 12th grade.

The money would come from the state's general revenue fund.

When parents file their taxes next year, the tax commission says it'll cost the state an estimated $411 million.

Representative Martinez believes it's not much, but it'll help families who dealt with unexpected expenses due to schools being at least partially shut down for nearly a year.

“Many of our public schools were closed to in-person learning for much of last spring, and some have not yet re-opened this school year,” Martinez said. “This left parents scrambling for other options such as paid childcare or forced them to either quit their jobs or alter their work schedules, all at a loss of personal income. These people pay tax dollars to fund public education, but when such education is not available, they should be recompensed.”

It's important to note if the plan passes, families will only receive the tax credit once not one thousand dollars for every child.