Community leaders and experts highlight the need for clearer communication, fair protections, and long-term planning as property tax costs continue to rise.
Oklahoma, 6 November 2025 – Lawmakers, veterans, senior advocates, tax experts, and local officials gathered Tuesday at the State Capitol for a House Appropriations & Budget Finance Subcommittee meeting focused on property tax reform in Oklahoma. The discussion centered on how rising property taxes affect seniors, disabled veterans, and residents living on fixed incomes.
The study was requested by Representatives Denise Crosswhite Hader of Piedmont and Tammy Townley of Ardmore. They emphasized that many Oklahomans are concerned about being priced out of their homes due to increasing property tax bills. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate existing laws and explore ways to improve support for those most impacted.
One of the speakers, Brig. Gen. Stanley Sieg (ret.), a 100% disabled veteran, shared his personal story about losing his property tax exemption when he moved to a new home in the same year. He encouraged lawmakers to consider making exemptions easier to transfer or to improve communication so veterans understand what is required to keep their benefits.
County assessors explained how property taxes are used. About 85% of property tax revenue goes to public schools, while the remaining funds support public safety and local government services. Property taxes do not fund roads and bridges.
Experts also noted that property tax rates in Oklahoma are rising faster than in surrounding states, even though the overall rate remains competitive. Reasons include increased home values, past undervaluation corrections, school bond approvals, and legal claims that shift costs to local governments.
Speakers also discussed how property tax exemptions and caps work. For example, Oklahoma limits annual property value increases to 3% or 5%, depending on the type of property. Some seniors and veterans also qualify for exemptions or tax freezes, though these do not fully prevent tax changes when new local bonds are approved.
During the study, attendees heard examples from other states. In Florida, for instance, funding relies more on sales and excise taxes, with strong transparency requirements so residents clearly understand when tax rates change and why.
Leaders representing aging communities suggested bringing together schools, counties, cities, and taxpayers to study the entire system. They emphasized that while local services must be funded, people on fixed incomes should be protected from sudden cost increases.
The Oklahoma Tax Commission also provided an overview of the revenue impact of changing exemptions. Because many property tax rules are part of the state constitution, any large-scale reform would require a statewide vote.
