Governor Brad Henry wants to exempt retirees from income tax

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Governor Brad Henry wants to give many retirees in the state a full exemption from the state income tax. <br/><br/>The proposal distributed at The Associated Press' annual Legislative

Wednesday, February 1st 2006, 10:32 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Governor Brad Henry wants to give many retirees in the state a full exemption from the state income tax.

The proposal distributed at The Associated Press' annual Legislative Workshop also calls for a back-to-school sales tax holiday and a reduction in estate taxes for ``collateral heirs.''

The program for retirees would exempt single tax filers with incomes of $25,000 or less from the state income tax. Married retirees with incomes of $50,000 or less would also be exempt.

Most retirees currently get a $10,000 exemption.

The proposed sales tax holiday would run in August at the same time as a similar tax holiday in Texas that often draws Oklahomans to the Lone Star state to shop.

The estate tax plan would extend an estate tax exemption on inheritances to ``collateral heirs'' such as brothers or sisters. Currently only the spouse and children qualify for an exemption on inheritance taxes.