Oklahoma Farm Bureau is encouraging members to contact their state senators to urge a YES vote on Senate Bill 422 by Sen. Frank Simpson.
After hearing multiple concerns from members about new difficulties securing the agricultural sales tax exemption permit, OKFB leaders and staff have been working with state legislators, the Oklahoma Tax Commission and other agricultural stakeholders to find solutions that ensure farmers and ranchers continue to have access to this critical exemption.
SB 422 by Sen. Frank Simpson gives flexibility to farmers and ranchers who are applying for or renewing an agricultural sales tax exemption permit by providing several options to show proof of eligibility.
Under the bill, applicants will only need to provide documentation from one of four categories including a federal tax form, business description form, USDA FSA program form or an Oklahoma Tax Commission-created form to verify they are involved in production agriculture. This documentation will also serve as an added safeguard to limit the exemption permit to producers growing or raising agricultural products for the purpose of sale.
Without the timely passage of SB 422, ag producers with permits that expire on June 30, 2021 could face a much more difficult process than ever before. Some farmers and ranchers who have responsibly obtained and utilized this permit for decades could now be denied unless action is taken by the state Legislature. Please contact your senator and request a yes vote on SB 422.
For more information, please contact OKFB Public Policy staff.
