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Oklahoma ranks 15th overall on the 2027 State Tax Competitiveness Index.

Score 5.48 / 10

Notable Changes Oklahoma is singled out in the study for this year's changes.

In the 2027 Index

As a result of tax bills passed in 2025, Oklahoma moved from six individual income tax brackets to three, and from a top rate of 4.75 to 4.5 percent, improving the state’s individual income tax rank by 13 places. The state also conformed to the improved expensing treatment enacted by the OBBBA, while resisting the option to exempt tips and overtime pay from the income tax. All these improvements brought Oklahoma’s rank from 19th to 15th overall.

Snapshot date: The 2027 Index measures each state's tax law as of July 1, 2026. Changes enacted after that date are not reflected in these ranks.

About Oklahoma's Tax Code

In recent years, Oklahoma lawmakers have adopted several structural reforms, including eliminating the income tax’s marriage penalty and repealing a capital stock tax. In 2025, lawmakers again reformed the individual income tax by reducing the top marginal rate to 4.5 percent, consolidating six brackets into three, and providing fiscal safeguards for future triggered rate reductions. These changes take effect in 2026. However, lawmakers have yet to index the code for inflation. This leaves taxpayers vulnerable to bracket creep, which occurs when inflation pushes a taxpayer from a lower bracket to a higher one when nominal income rises, but due to inflation, real income does not, or may even decline.

Oklahoma’s property taxes are relatively low, and the state has benefited from the repeal of the capital stock tax. Capital stock taxes are imposed on a business’s net worth (or accumulated wealth) and tend to penalize investment. Moreover, businesses were required to pay the capital stock tax regardless of profitability. However, the state continues to tax business inventory, which is also levied regardless of profitability. Such taxes are nonneutral and disproportionately affect those businesses with larger inventories, causing taxpayers to make inefficient timing and location decisions with their inventory.

Oklahoma was the first state to adopt permanent bonus depreciation for qualifying investments in machinery and equipment. This boosted the state’s competitiveness, particularly because, at the time, the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) had not yet been introduced. This pro-growth reform makes the state attractive to capital-intensive industries.

Oklahoma has a single corporate tax rate at 4 percent; however, the state does not conform to federal depletion rules for oil and gas—rules similar to depreciation that apply to natural resources—but it does have its own state-specific deduction. The corporate code also features some nonneutral incentive credits for jobs and investment. The state’s throwback rule is inefficient and taxes “nowhere income” in the state from which sales are made because the seller lacks sufficient nexus to be taxed in the destination state, leading to taxation in the wrong state at the wrong rate.

Component Scores

#15 overall · 5.48 / 10

Each component is scored from 0 to 10, where 10 is best. Select a component for its detail page.

2.557.510CorporateIndividualIncomeSalesPropertyUnemploymentInsurance
Oklahoma Rank and Score by Component
Component Rank Score
Corporate Taxes #5 5.95 / 10
Individual Income Taxes #15 5.56 / 10
Sales Taxes #34 4.31 / 10
Property Taxes #9 5.90 / 10
Unemployment Insurance Taxes #3 6.07 / 10

Ranking Changes, 2020–2027

#15 in 2027 · up 8 places from 2020

Oklahoma ranked 23rd in 2020 and ranks 15th in 2027, an improvement of 8 places. The axis is zoomed to the state's range. Ranks for 2020 through 2026 are backcast under the current methodology.

RankHigher is better ↑14th17th20th23rd26th202020212022202320242025202620272319262119181915
Show the Table
Oklahoma Rank and Score by Year
Year OverallCorporateIndividual IncomeSalesPropertyUnemployment Insurance
2020 23 (5.17) 10 (5.55) 30 (5.06) 40 (4.06) 15 (5.39) 1 (6.64)
2021 19 (5.22) 11 (5.57) 29 (5.07) 37 (4.26) 15 (5.38) 1 (6.64)
2022 26 (5.14) 12 (5.59) 28 (5.11) 36 (4.31) 16 (5.34) 9 (5.77)
2023 21 (5.20) 5 (5.91) 30 (5.12) 36 (4.25) 21 (5.28) 5 (5.88)
2024 19 (5.32) 6 (5.89) 21 (5.34) 37 (4.27) 9 (5.75) 6 (5.72)
2025 18 (5.35) 6 (5.87) 26 (5.30) 35 (4.26) 7 (6.08) 6 (5.74)
2026 19 (5.33) 5 (5.90) 28 (5.26) 34 (4.29) 10 (5.80) 5 (5.79)
2027 15 (5.48) 5 (5.95) 15 (5.56) 34 (4.31) 9 (5.90) 3 (6.07)

Oklahoma Compared across the States

#15 overall

Each row places the states on a 0 to 10 score scale for one measure. Oklahoma is the large outlined dot, and the dashed line is the 50-state median, so a dot to its right scores better than the typical state. Hover over or tab to any dot for detail, and select it to open that state's profile.

Overall

#15 5.48

Corporate Taxes

#5 5.95

Individual Income Taxes

#15 5.56

Sales Taxes

#34 4.31

Property Taxes

#9 5.90

Unemployment Insurance Taxes

#3 6.07

  • Oklahoma
  • Other states, by rank (1st to 50th)
  • 50-state median

Oklahoma and Its Neighbors

#15 overall

Oklahoma borders 6 states and ranks 15th overall; 2 of them rank higher and 4 rank lower.

Oklahoma Bordering states

What Each Component Includes

The five components of the Index, what each one covers, and where Oklahoma lands. Open any component for the full breakdown.

  • Corporate Taxes

    Rank #5

    Includes corporate income taxes and gross receipts taxes. Measures the impact of each state’s principal tax on business activities.

    • Corporate Income Tax Rates
    • Tax Credits and Gross Receipts Deductions
    • Net Operating Losses
    • Treatment of Capital Investment
    • Other Corporate Base Variables
    Full Breakdown for Oklahoma →
  • Individual Income Taxes

    Rank #15

    Covers the tax individuals pay on income, and with it a significant number of businesses — sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations — that report their income through the individual income tax code.

    • Individual Income Tax Rates
    • Marriage Penalty, Capital Income, Indexation
    • Other Individual Base Variables
    Full Breakdown for Oklahoma →
  • Sales Taxes

    Rank #34

    Covers the general sales tax levied on the purchase price of goods and services, plus excise taxes on gasoline, diesel, tobacco, vapor products, beer, and spirits, and taxes on digital advertising.

    • Sales and Excise Tax Rates
    • Business-to-Business Exemptions
    • Consumer Goods and Services in the Base
    • Sales Tax Structure
    Full Breakdown for Oklahoma →
  • Property Taxes

    Rank #9

    Includes taxes on real and personal property, net worth, and the transfer of assets — among them capital stock, estate, inheritance, and real estate transfer taxes.

    • Property and Capital Stock Tax Rates
    • Property Tax Bases
    Full Breakdown for Oklahoma →
  • Unemployment Insurance Taxes

    Rank #3

    Covers the taxes employers pay into the state unemployment insurance program to finance benefits for workers recently unemployed.

    • UI Tax Rates
    • Experience Formulas and Charging Methods
    • Other UI Base Variables
    Full Breakdown for Oklahoma →

Tax Data Explorer

Every policy variable behind Oklahoma's 2027 scores, grouped by the report's tables, as of July 1, 2026. Its bordering states are shown alongside to start. Search the variables and values, or add up to 4 states to compare side by side.

156 data points · Shaded values differ from Oklahoma

Corporate Taxes: Corporate Income Tax Rates

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Bracket 14.0% > $01.0% > $0 (differs)4.4% > $0 (differs)3.5% > $0 (differs)4.0% > $05.9% > $0 (differs)None (differs)
Bracket 2n.a.2.0% > $3,000 (differs)n.a.6.5% > $50,000 (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.
Bracket 3n.a.3.0% > $6,000 (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Bracket 4n.a.4.3% > $11,000 (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Gross Receipts TaxNoNoNoNoNoNoYes (differs)
Gross Receipts Tax Minimum Raten.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.0.331% (differs)
Gross Receipts Tax Maximum Raten.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.0.75% (differs)
Gross Receipts Tax Rate Used in the Indexn.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.0.75% (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Tax Credits and Gross Receipts Deductions

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Job CreditsYesYesYesYesYesYesNo (differs)
Research and Development CreditsNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Investment CreditsYesYesYesYesYesYesNo (differs)
Compensation Expenses Deductiblen.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.Partial (differs)
Cost of Goods Sold Deductiblen.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.Partial (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Net Operating Losses

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Conforms to Federal NOL TreatmentYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)Yesn.a. (differs)
Carryback (Years)Conforms to federal treatment0 (differs)0 (differs)0 (differs)2 (differs)Conforms to federal treatmentn.a. (differs)
Carryback CapConforms to federal treatment$0 (differs)$0 (differs)$0 (differs)Unlimited (differs)Conforms to federal treatmentn.a. (differs)
Carryforward (Years)Conforms to federal treatment10 (differs)20 (differs)Unlimited (differs)20 (differs)Conforms to federal treatmentn.a. (differs)
Carryforward CapConforms to federal treatmentUnlimited (differs)80% (differs)Unlimited (differs)Unlimited (differs)Conforms to federal treatmentn.a. (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Treatment of Capital Investment

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Section 168(k) Expensing100%0% (differs)100%100%100%100%100%
Conforms to Section 163(j) LimitationYesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)No (differs)YesNo (differs)
GILTI InclusionDecouplesDecouples50% Inclusion (differs)DecouplesDecouplesDecouplesn.a. (differs)
Section 174 ExpensingYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Section 168(n) ExpensingYesNo (differs)YesYesYesYesYes

Corporate Taxes: Other Corporate Base Variables

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Federal Income Used as State Tax BaseYesNo (differs)YesYesYesYesPartial (differs)
Conformity StatusRollingStatic (not current) (differs)RollingRollingRollingRollingRolling
Allows Federal ACRS or MACRS DepreciationYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Allows Federal DepletionYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Throwback RuleYesYesYesYesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)
Foreign Tax DeductibilityNoYes (differs)NoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Corporate AMTNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Brackets Indexed for InflationFlat CITNo (differs)Flat CITNo (differs)Flat CITFlat CITGRT (differs)

Individual Income Taxes: Individual Income Tax Rates

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Bracket 12.5% > $3,7502.0% > $0 (differs)4.4% > $0 (differs)5.2% > $0 (differs)2.0% > $1,348 (differs)1.5% > $0 (differs)No Income Tax (differs)
Bracket 23.5% > $4,9003.7% > $4,700 (differs)n.a. (differs)5.58% > $23,000 (differs)2.5% > $2,696 (differs)3.2% > $5,500 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 34.5% > $7,200n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)3.0% > $4,044 (differs)4.3% > $16,500 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 4n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.3.5% > $5,392 (differs)4.7% > $33,500 (differs)n.a.
Bracket 5n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.4.0% > $6,740 (differs)4.9% > $66,500 (differs)n.a.
Bracket 6n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.4.5% > $8,088 (differs)5.9% > $210,000 (differs)n.a.
Bracket 7n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.4.7% > $9,436 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Standard Deduction (Single Filer)$6,350$2,470 (differs)$16,100 (differs)$3,605 (differs)$16,100 (differs)$16,100 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Personal Exemption (Single Filer)$1,000n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)$9,160 (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Personal Exemption Credit (Single Filer)n.a.$29 (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Personal Exemption per Dependent$1,000n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)$2,320 (differs)n.a. (differs)$4,000 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Personal Exemption Credit per Dependentn.a.$29 (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Average Local Income Tax RateNoneNone0.06% (differs)None1.00% (differs)NoneNone
Surtaxes on Wage Incomen.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.

Individual Income Taxes: Marriage Penalty, Capital Income, Indexation

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Marriage PenaltyNoYes (differs)NoNoNoYes (differs)n.a. (differs)
Married Couples Can File Separately on One ReturnNoYes (differs)NoNoYes (differs)Non.a. (differs)
Convenience RuleNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Interest TaxedYesYesYesYesYesYesn.a. (differs)
Dividends TaxedYesYesYesYesYesYesn.a. (differs)
Capital Gains TaxedYesYesYesYesNo (differs)Yesn.a. (differs)
Combined Capital Gains Tax Rate4.5%1.85% (differs)4.4% (differs)5.58% (differs)0% (differs)5.9% (differs)n.a. (differs)
Tax Brackets Indexed for InflationNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)NoYes (differs)Non.a. (differs)
Standard Deduction Indexed for InflationNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)NoYes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a. (differs)
Personal Exemption Indexed for InflationNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)NoYes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a. (differs)
Progressivity Ratio1.001.001.001.001.001.37 (differs)n.a. (differs)

Individual Income Taxes: Other Individual Base Variables

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Federal Income Used as State Tax BaseYesNo (differs)YesYesYesYesn.a. (differs)
Conformity StatusRollingStatic (not current) (differs)RollingRollingRollingRollingn.a. (differs)
Credits for Taxes Paid to Other StatesYesYesYesYesYesYesn.a. (differs)
AMT LeviedNoNoYes (differs)NoNoNon.a. (differs)
Recognition of S Corporation StatusYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Section 179 Expensing Limit$2,560,000$1,250,000 (differs)$2,560,000$2,560,000$2,560,000$2,560,000$2,560,000
TipsTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableTaxableTaxablen.a. (differs)
OvertimeTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxablen.a. (differs)
Filing and Withholding Threshold Index0.7350 (differs)0 (differs)0 (differs)0.339 (differs)2.5 (differs)10 (differs)

Individual Income Taxes: Other Individual Income Variables

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Income RecaptureNoYes (differs)NoNoNoNon.a. (differs)

Sales Taxes: Sales and Excise Tax Rates

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
State Sales Tax Rate4.50%6.50% (differs)2.90% (differs)6.50% (differs)4.23% (differs)4.88% (differs)6.25% (differs)
Average Local Sales Tax Rate4.56%2.98% (differs)4.99% (differs)2.21% (differs)4.22% (differs)2.80% (differs)1.95% (differs)
Maximum Local Sales Tax Rate7.00%6.125% (differs)9.10% (differs)4.25% (differs)6.25% (differs)4.5625% (differs)2.00% (differs)
Gasoline Tax (Cents per Gallon)20.0025.00 (differs)30.18 (differs)25.03 (differs)29.99 (differs)18.88 (differs)20.00
Diesel Tax (Cents per Gallon)2028.8 (differs)35.68 (differs)27.03 (differs)29.99 (differs)22.88 (differs)20
Cigarette Tax (Dollars per Pack of 20)$2.03$1.15 (differs)$2.24 (differs)$1.29 (differs)$0.17 (differs)$2.00 (differs)$1.41 (differs)
Beer Tax (Dollars per Gallon)$0.4032$0.3722 (differs)$0.08 (differs)$0.18 (differs)$0.06 (differs)$0.41 (differs)$0.1935 (differs)
Spirits Tax (Dollars per Gallon)$5.56$9.76 (differs)$2.28 (differs)$2.50 (differs)$2.00 (differs)$6.06 (differs)$2.40 (differs)
Vapor Tax Ratio to Cigarette Taxn.a.n.a.146.5333% (differs)5.00% (differs)n.a.27.7778% (differs)n.a.

Sales Taxes: Business-to-Business Exemptions

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Business InputsSome TaxableSome TaxableSome TaxableSome TaxableSome TaxableSome TaxableSome Taxable
Farm EquipmentExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptPartial (differs)Exempt
Office EquipmentTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Manufacturing MachineryExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Manufacturing Raw MaterialsExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Business Fuel and UtilitiesExemptPartial (differs)ExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Business Leases and RentalsTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Information ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Software as a Service (SaaS)ExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Partial (differs)
Platform as a Service (PaaS)ExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Partial (differs)
Digital B2B ProductsExemptTaxable (differs)ExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Payroll ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Partial (differs)
Data Center PurchasesTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Partial (differs)Partial (differs)
Digital Advertising TaxNoNoNoNoNoYes (differs)No

Sales Taxes: Consumer Goods and Services in the Base

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
GroceriesAlternate RateAlternate RateExempt (differs)Local Tax Only (differs)Alternate RateExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
ClothingTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Prescription MedicationExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Nonprescription MedicationTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)
GasolineExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
LandscapingExemptTaxable (differs)ExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Repair ServicesExemptTaxable (differs)ExemptTaxable (differs)ExemptTaxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Real Estate ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
ParkingTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)TaxableTaxable
Dry CleaningExemptTaxable (differs)ExemptTaxable (differs)ExemptTaxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Fitness ServicesTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Barber ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
Veterinary ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
E-BooksExemptTaxable (differs)Taxable (differs)ExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Streaming VideoExemptTaxable (differs)Taxable (differs)ExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Medical ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
Legal ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
Financial ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
Accounting ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
Sales Tax HolidayYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)YesYesYes

Sales Taxes: Sales Tax Structure

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Uniform Base DefinitionsYesYesNo (differs)YesYesYesYes
Unified Tax AdministrationYesYesNo (differs)YesYesYesYes
Safe Harbor for Remote SellersGross Sales ThresholdSales or Transactions Threshold (differs)Gross Sales ThresholdGross Sales ThresholdGross Sales ThresholdGross Sales ThresholdGross Sales Threshold

Property Taxes: Property and Capital Stock Tax Rates

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Property Tax Collections per Capita$996$961 (differs)$2,379 (differs)$2,017 (differs)$1,567 (differs)$1,251 (differs)$2,320 (differs)
Property Tax as a Percentage of Personal Income1.56%1.62% (differs)2.88% (differs)3.06% (differs)2.41% (differs)2.14% (differs)3.33% (differs)
Assessment LimitYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)YesYes
Levy LimitNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)NoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Capital Stock Tax RateNone0.3% (differs)NoneNoneNoneNoneNone
Capital Stock Tax Maximum Paymentn.a.Unlimited (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Payment Options for Capital Stock and Corporate Income Taxesn.a.Pay both (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.

Property Taxes: Property Tax Bases

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Tangible Personal Property TaxYesYesYesYesYesNo (differs)Yes
Tangible Personal Property De Minimis ExemptionNoneNone$56,000 (differs)NoneNonen.a. (differs)$125,000 (differs)
Intangible Property TaxNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Inventory TaxYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)Yes
Real Estate Transfer TaxYesYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)
Split RollNoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)No
Split Roll Ratio1.001.003.82 (differs)2.17 (differs)1.68 (differs)1.11 (differs)1.00
Estate TaxNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Inheritance TaxNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Gift TaxNoNoNoNoNoNoNo

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: UI Tax Rates

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Minimum Rate0.20%0.20%0.72% (differs)0.00% (differs)0.00% (differs)0.33% (differs)0.25% (differs)
Maximum Rate5.80%10.10% (differs)10.85% (differs)6.95% (differs)6.00% (differs)6.40% (differs)6.25% (differs)
Taxable Wage Base$25,000$7,000 (differs)$30,600 (differs)$15,100 (differs)$9,000 (differs)$34,800 (differs)$9,000 (differs)
Most Favorable Schedule: Minimum Rate0.01%0.10% (differs)0.51% (differs)0.20% (differs)0.00% (differs)0.33% (differs)0.00% (differs)
Most Favorable Schedule: Maximum Rate5.50%6.00% (differs)6.28% (differs)7.60% (differs)5.40% (differs)5.40% (differs)6.00% (differs)
Least Favorable Schedule: Minimum Rate0.30%0.08% (differs)0.75% (differs)0.20% (differs)0.00% (differs)0.33% (differs)0.00% (differs)
Least Favorable Schedule: Maximum Rate9.20%6.00% (differs)10.39% (differs)7.60% (differs)7.80% (differs)5.40% (differs)6.00% (differs)
Employer Contributions as a Share of Total Wages0.38%0.14% (differs)0.62% (differs)0.28% (differs)0.21% (differs)0.45% (differs)0.22% (differs)
Employer Contributions as a Share of Taxable Wages0.84%0.88% (differs)1.86% (differs)0.83% (differs)1.08% (differs)0.86% (differs)1.45% (differs)
Trust Fund Solvency Ratio0.841.06 (differs)0.4 (differs)1.67 (differs)0.7 (differs)0.56 (differs)0.04 (differs)
New Employer Rate1.50%2.00% (differs)1.70% (differs)1.75% (differs)2.70% (differs)1.00% (differs)2.70% (differs)

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: Experience Formulas and Charging Methods

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Experience Formula Based OnBenefit Wage RatioReserve Ratio (differs)Reserve Ratio (differs)Reserve Ratio (differs)Reserve Ratio (differs)Benefits Ratio (differs)Benefits Ratio (differs)
Benefits Charged in Proportion to Base-Period WagesYesYesNo (base-period employers in inverse chronological order) (differs)YesYesYesYes
Charged If Employee's Benefit Award Is ReversedNoNoNoYes (differs)NoNoNo
Charged for Reimbursements on Combined Wage ClaimsYesYesNo (differs)YesYesYesYes
Charged If Employee Left VoluntarilyNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Charged If Employee Was Discharged for MisconductNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Charged If Employee Refused Suitable WorkNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)NoNoYes (differs)
Charged If Employee Continues to Work Part-TimeNoNoNoNoNoNoYes (differs)

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: Other UI Base Variables

VariableOklahomaArkansasColoradoKansasMissouriNew MexicoTexas
Solvency TaxYesYesYesYesYesNo (differs)Yes
Taxes for Socialized Costs or Negative Balance EmployersNoNoNoNoNoNoYes (differs)
Loan and Interest Repayment SurtaxesNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)NoYes (differs)NoYes (differs)
Reserve TaxesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Surtaxes for UI Administration or Non-UI PurposesYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)YesNo (differs)Yes
Temporary Disability InsuranceNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Voluntary ContributionsNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Years to Qualify for Experience Rating23 (differs)1 (differs)2221.5 (differs)

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About the Authors

Janelle Fritts Tax Foundation
Expert

Janelle Fritts

Senior Policy Analyst

Janelle Fritts is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Tax Foundation’s Center for State Tax Policy. She is the lead researcher on the annual State Tax Competitiveness Index and serves as a resource to policymakers in their efforts to modernize and improve the structures of their state tax codes. Her work has been cited in The New York Times, the Associated Press, Bloomberg, and numerous state media outlets across the country.

Jared Walczak Tax Foundation
Expert

Jared Walczak

Senior Fellow

Jared Walczak is a Senior Fellow at the Tax Foundation, where he spent five years as Vice President of State Projects, and president of Walczak Policy Consulting.

Nicole Fox Tax Foundation
Expert

Nicole Fox

Policy Analyst

Nicole Fox is a Policy Analyst with the Center for State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation, where she serves as a resource to policymakers in their efforts to modernize and improve the structure of their state tax codes.

Katherine Loughead Tax Foundation
Expert

Katherine Loughead

Vice President of State Tax Policy

Katherine Loughead is the Vice President of State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation, where she oversees the state tax policy team’s research agenda and serves as a resource to policymakers in their efforts to modernize and improve the structure of their state tax codes.

Media Contacts

Sarah Wilbur Tax Foundation Media Relations Contact

Sarah Wilbur

Communications Manager

Sarah Wilbur is Communications Manager at the Tax Foundation where she advances the organization’s institutional reach by developing its corporate communications and media programs.

Jesse Solis Tax Foundation

Jesse Solis

Vice President of Communications

Jesse Solis is Vice President of Communications at the Tax Foundation, where he leads the communications team and works to build coverage of Tax Foundation’s experts and their work across the globe. He joined the team in 2021 as Communications Manager and became Communications Director in 2024.