Oklahoma law states school tax credit data is confidential

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — According to a report by Tulsa World, Oklahoma law states that information on the use of parental choice tax credit money must be kept confidential, despite the use of taxpayer dollars to fund the program.

After Tulsa World requested records from the Oklahoma Tax Commission to find out how much of the $150 million allocated for tax year 2024 was going to out-of-state institutions registered for the program, the OTC denied the request.

The commission cited Oklahoma Statute Title 68-205, Paragraph A, which mandates that the records must be kept confidential.

The records and files of the Oklahoma Tax Commission concerning the administration of the Uniform Tax Procedure Code or of any state tax law shall be considered confidential and privileged, except as otherwise provided for by law, and neither the Tax Commission nor any employee engaged in the administration of the Tax Commission or charged with the custody of any such records or files nor any person who may have secured information from the Tax Commission shall disclose any information obtained from the records or files or from any examination or inspection of the premises or property of any person.

Oklahoma Statute Title 68-205, Paragraph A

The OTC reportedly told Tulsa World that it's possible out-of-state schools are receiving funding from 2024 tax credits under the original rules established by House Bill 1934.

However, House Bill 3388, which was signed into law during the 2024 legislative session, amends the original rules to specify that all participating schools must be physically located in Oklahoma.