A new requirement for tax exemption for veterans goes into effect July 1.

According to Senate Bill 415, effective Nov. 1, 2021, all new applicants for sales tax exemption based on a veteran’s 100 percent serviceconnected disability status are required to register in the Oklahoma Veterans Registry to verify eligibility.

Veterans (and surviving spouses) previously awarded sales tax exempt status prior to Nov. 1, 2021, must register in the Oklahoma Veterans Registry no later than July 1, in order to remain eligible for the benefit of sales tax exemption.

If you have not already registered, please do so immediately to avoid a delay or suspense in this important state benefit.

In Oklahoma, veterans who are 100 percent permanently and totally disabled are issued an Oklahoma tax exempt card in which they are tax exempt on up to $25,000 in purchase. They are also tax exempt on their property taxes.

Veterans are also exempt on the excess tax when they purchase a new vehicle which they are allowed to use the excise tax exemption on one vehicle every three years.

State Rep. Ken Luttrell said in 2021, it was determined the benefits system needed an overhaul.

‘We had had flyers made and distributed to our local veterans through American Legion and VFW and disabled American veterans’ organizations,’ Luttrell said. “What came to be found out was that Oklahoma had thousands more veterans claiming the sales tax exemption on their purchases than Oklahoma established that there are veterans living in Oklahoma.’

That is why he co-authored legislation that required veterans to re-register with the state. Veterans who qualify are asked to log onto oklahoma.gov/veterans to register.

Luttrell said if veterans don’t have access to a computer, they can reach out to their local veteran service organization to ensure the forms are properly submitted.

For more information or assistance, please contact Veterans Service Officer Tricia Bear (VFW Post 539) at 479-414-0952. If you have not already registered, please do so immediately to avoid a delay or suspense in this important state benefit.

The Oklahoma Veterans Registry can be accessed at the following link: \https://registry.odva.ok.gov/reg istration