Taxes

The City of Oklahoma City is primarily funded by taxes.

Sales tax revenue makes up most of the General Fund, which pays for the City's day-to-day operations. Other important sources of revenue include use tax, property tax and hotel/motel tax.

Shop in OKC!

Not only do we have some of the best shops in the metro, but you help our community every time you shop in Oklahoma City. Your sales tax helps pay for our core City services and things we need to keep our City going – employees, materials and supplies. That’s why it’s important that our sales tax dollars come to Oklahoma City.

  • If you live in a ZIP code which overlaps another city (OKC/Edmond, OKC/Moore), check to make sure the appropriate sales tax of 8.625 percent is being applied to your purchase (or 8.975 percent in Canadian County or 8.75 percent in Cleveland County).
  • Sales tax should be collected on all online purchases.
  • If no sales tax is charged on an online or catalog purchase, a use tax is due from the purchaser and should be reported on your Oklahoma income tax forms.
  • When purchasing from an online retailer sales tax is usually based on ZIP code. Be sure to determine whether the correct City sales tax is being charged, particularly in boundary areas.
  • If you notice any sales tax issues, contact Sean McMahon in the City Treasurer’s Office at (405) 297-1722 or email OKCTax@okc.gov.

Sales Tax

The local sales tax in Oklahoma City is 4.125 percent. Of that:

  • 2 1/4 cents goes to the General Fund
  • 3/4 cent goes to Public Safety
  • 1/8 cent goes to the OKC Zoo
  • 1 cent goes to MAPS 4 projects

Property Tax

Property taxes finance General Obligation Bonds, which voters approve for specific capital projects. It is a common misconception that property taxes help pay for the City’s core services. Cities and towns in Oklahoma are not allowed to levy property taxes for day-to-day operations. Oklahoma is the only state in the U.S. with that restriction, according to the Oklahoma Municipal League.

Hotel Tax

Hotel Tax helps promote OKC as a tourism and convention destination and is charged for hotel stays. Bringing tourism and conventions to OKC helps boost our economy.

The Oklahoma City Council adopted Ordinance No. 22,538 (Sept. 14, 2004) and Ordinance No. 22,729 (May 24, 2005), amending the Oklahoma City Municipal Code, Chapter 52, Article III, Hotel Tax, standardize language for hotel taxes effective July 1, 2005.

The following documents are available for your reference and use:

The Government Travel Card Information is provided to help hotel front desk staff evaluate hotel tax exemptions when guests check in.

The City Treasurer’s Office can answer questions questions and help with problems. Call (405) 297-2229 during our office hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Use Tax

Use tax is due on goods purchased outside of Oklahoma and brought into Oklahoma City and consumed in situations when no sales tax was charged. An example is something you buy online from another state and no sales tax is charged, but you use the item in OKC once it's delivered.

How to Pay Use Tax

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