Veterans reminded to sign up for state registry

LAWTON – Disabled veterans who rely on their sales tax exemption to help them save 
money could lose the benefit if they fail to register with a state-sponsored database by 
July 1, 2023.
That was the message that George Keck, chairman of the Comanche County Veterans 
Council, delivered to veterans, spouses and surviving spouses during an Aug. 20 council 
meeting at Bingo Country in Lawton.
“Plainly put, I think most of you have what I refer to as ‘the blue card,’” he said, 
referring to the state-issued Veteran Exemption Card. “If you do not register by the first 
of July 2023, this may become a piece of trash.”
Oklahoma offers 100% disabled veterans with service-related disabilities an exemption 
from sales taxes, including city- and county-imposed sales taxes. Those veterans may be 
eligible for an exemption of up to $25,000 per year.
The state also offers the benefit for surviving spouses of deceased eligible veterans, but 
the exemption for surviving spouses is capped at $1,000 per year.
Under a 2021 state law, all new applicants for the exemption must register with the 
Oklahoma Veterans Registry to verify their eligibility. Veterans and surviving spouses 
who qualified for the exemption before Nov. 1, 2021, must sign up for the registry by 
July 1, 2023, to remain eligible.
The law was designed to prevent fraud by creating a database of veterans and surviving 
spouses who are eligible for the exemption. Veterans who do not want to participate in 
the exemption program do not have to put their names in the registry.

Registration

Keck walked veterans and their spouses through the registration process. He said people 
who want to sign up can either fill out a paper form or use an electronic version, and it 
doesn’t take long.
“This takes about --- depending on how good your mind is – about 10 minutes to fill 
out,” Keck said as he held up a copy of the form. “The online form takes barely seven. 
I’ve done it. It took me seven minutes.”
He said people who are not comfortable with using computers could contact him for 
assistance or seek help at either VFW Post 5263 or the Lawton Public Library. Veterans 
service officers are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of 
each month.
Keck reminded people to register by July 1, 2023, if they want to remain eligible for the 
sales tax exemption. He said those who miss the deadline will lose the exemption at 
some point.
“I don’t know how quickly they will drop the hammer on those that haven’t registered, 
but it’ll happen sooner or later,” he said.