AARP Applauds Grocery Tax Repeal in Oklahoma

En español | Oklahomans will soon pay less in taxes at the grocery store, thanks to a new AARP-backed law.

AARP applauds state legislators and Gov. Kevin Stitt for eliminating the 4.5 percent state sales tax on most groceries. The bill, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, is expected to take effect in late August.

The repeal follows years of advocacy from AARP Oklahoma, which argued the tax was particularly burdensome to older adults, especially those with lower incomes.

“Cutting the state grocery tax means relief for all Oklahomans,” said Joy McGill, AARP Oklahoma advocacy director. “We know those on fixed incomes are particularly hard hit with higher prices on everything from utilities, gas, food to prescription drugs.”

Stitt signed the legislation into law Feb. 28. Grocery shoppers will still be charged any local sales taxes, and the state will continue to tax some grocery items, such as ready-to-eat food. The law prohibits cities from raising local grocery taxes until June 2025.

Oklahoma was one of 13 states to impose a tax on groceries, ranging from 1 percent in Virginia and Illinois to 7 percent in Mississippi.

AARP has opposed such taxes as part of our work to help older adults struggling with increasing costs, including the more than 9 million Americans who are food insecure. We have helped pass laws to cut the grocery tax in Alabama and phase out Kansas’ grocery tax by 2025.

Keep up with our advocacy work in Oklahoma, and read AARP’s state tax guides to learn more about taxes in your state.

Natalie Missakian covers federal and state policy and writes AARP’s Fighting for You Every Day blog. She previously worked as a reporter for the New Haven Register and daily newspapers in Ohio. She has also written for the AARP Bulletin, the Hartford Business Journal and other publications.

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