Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act

The Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act was an existing law that was expanded in 2021 that now allows Oklahoma tax payers who donate to eligible and approved public school foundations, like the Norman Public School Foundation, to reallocate tax liabilities and receive a portion of their gift back in state income tax credits. This allows donors to support the Norman Public School Foundation's innovative education programs and earn credits on their state taxes.

Tax credits available, as outlined by the Oklahoma Tax Commission:

  • A person filing as an individual can receive a tax credit of up to $1,000

  • Couples filing jointly are eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $2,000

  • A qualified business entity can receive up to $100,000 in state tax credits

Two levels of tax credits are available:

  • One-time gifts are eligible for a tax credit of up to 50% of the gift

  • Gifts given in two consecutive years are eligible for a tax credit of up to 75% of the gift

Because of the rigorous reporting requirements, the Norman Public School Foundation has set the following minimum contribution levels:

  • Individuals/Couples must give a minimum of $2,500 to be eligible

  • Businesses must give a minimum of $5,000 to be eligible

  • (for recurring gifts, the minimum is per year, not total)

Ineligible Gifts: Donations made through the tax credit program cannot be used for event sponsorships, or in exchange for goods or services. Additionally, in-kind donations are not eligible, nor are gifts made through donor advised funds or other foundations.

Deadlines: All contributions must be postmarked on or before December 31. Gifts made by December 31 will be reported to the Oklahoma Tax Commission on January 10 of the following year, to be considered for credit in the. year it was donated. Contributions, along with the signed donor agreement form, should be mailed on or before December 31 to Norman Public School Foundation (Attention: Alesha Leemaster), 131 S. Flood Avenue, Norman, OK 73069.

Documentation: The Norman Public School Foundation will submit required information to the Oklahoma Tax Commission as confirmation of the Donors’ eligibility for a tax credit under the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act. Donor must also submit proof of donation to the Oklahoma Tax Commission when claiming the tax credit.

Important Tax Credit Information: The tax credit has a statewide cap of $25 million and a district cap of $200,000 annually. If total credits claimed exceeds either cap, the credit to the taxpayer will be a proportionate share of the cap for the taxable year after allocation of any amount of credits not claimed by other eligible organizations and taxpayers under the Act. Credits earned but not allowed due to the application of the statewide cap will be considered suspended and authorized to be used in the next immediate tax year and applied to the next year’s statewide cap. Any credits authorized by the Act allowed but not used in any tax year may be carried over, in order, to each of the three (3) years following the year of qualification.

The Oklahoma Tax Commission will publish the percentage of the contribution made in the previous year that may be claimed as a credit by contributors by February 15 each year.  You can deduct the portion of your gift not reduced by the tax credit from your federal taxes as a charitable gift contribution if you itemize, making the cost of donating to your local public school even lower.*  

*All information provided by the Norman Public School Foundation is for information purposes only.  Your donation is not a guarantee of tax credit.  Please consult your tax and/or legal professional.