Most Private School Tax Credit recipients came from families making $75K+
The total amount approved was $236 million with a cap of $250 million.
Oklahoma Policy Institute first reported the findings earlier this week and found that families earning more than $250k/year made up more than 1 in 4 recipients.
The numbers showed that most of the money went to students who had already been enrolled in private school, too.
It showed that just 2,963 of the 36,921 students approved for the tax credit so far this year were enrolled in public school the previous semester.
Lifting cap on Oklahoma's School Choice Tax Credit could have high cost
'They were sold as being a way to help public school kids who were in bad public schools get into private school. Clearly that's not the case since 92% of the people using them are already in private schools,' said Senator Julia Kirt (D-Oklahoma City).
Also, almost 75% came from families with household incomes above $75,000, according to the latest Tax Commission data.
Numbers from March showed that a $27.1 million portion, about 30%, went to families making below $75,000 a year. A nearly equal amount, $26.3 million, went to families making between $75,000 and $150,000. Another $15.7 million, or 17%, went to families making between $150,000 and $225,000.
'Almost half of the folks that are receiving the tax credits are making more than $150,000 annually, and 92% of the families were already in private school to begin with. So, again, the question that we have is, who's getting a different choice now?' asked Senator Carrie Hicks (D-Oklahoma City).
Republicans have long approved of the program. Governor Stitt has asked as recently as March for there not to be a cap on the program.
On Wednesday, News 4 asked the governor's office if they had looked at the recent snapshot from the Tax Commission and if he still wants the cap removed. We have not heard back.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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