Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit
Cimarron is an eligible private school for the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit. Families who pay, or expect to pay, qualified tuition and fees may apply for a refundable income tax credit of $5,000 to $7,500 for an eligible student.
The school has walked through a first year of the program with families. 91% of CSLE families this school year are participating, which for most students now covers tuition and fees. That has made the model reachable for more households.
Key changes for the 2026-2027 school year
Update 12/8/25 from the school’s tax-credit page:
- Beginning in 2026, the application window will open on March 15th and close on June 15th annually. Applicants will be notified within thirty (30) days of the closure of the application window (July 15th). Families of students who are approved for the tax credit will receive notification via email. Families of denied students will receive notification via mail (USPS). Families who are denied should determine whether they have an issue that can be addressed, and then allow them to reapply. Questions: parents@okpsaedu.org.
- Priority considerations are: 1. Families with income $150,000 or below. 2. Families who received the credit the year prior. Applications for students who did not attend a private school in the previous year, and whose families have an income exceeding $150,000.01, will be processed on a first-submitted basis until the remaining tax credit funds are depleted.
- Families receiving SNAP, TANF, or SoonerCare do not have to submit income documents. DHS and the Health Care Authority will verify eligibility.
- Payments will be sent on an annual basis by August 30th, to the private school and require the parent’s signature.
How families apply
To apply, families log into the tax credit portal and provide the requested information, along with a Verification of Enrollment Form provided by the school.
All families awarded the credit will receive a check from the Tax Commission, mailed directly to the school. Parents appear in person at the school to collect the check. After the check clears their bank, parents pay any remaining balance due to the school. June or August payments (depending on your payment plan) are due regardless of when tax credit checks arrive. Financial assistance is available on a case by case basis.
Notes from the 2025-2026 cycle
- Priority applications (families with AGI under $150k) needed to be submitted within the first 60 days to receive priority consideration.
- For 2025-2026, the Oklahoma Tax Commission sent payments to the school in two installments, one by August 30th and the other by January 15th, each not exceeding half of the allowable credit.
- Checks were made payable to the taxpayer. Taxpayers personally appeared at the school to sign the check over or collect it if tuition had already been paid.
- The credit is exempt from Oklahoma state taxable income beginning in tax year 2024. The Oklahoma Tax Commission cannot say whether a payment is taxable for federal purposes. Contact your tax professional.
If you have questions regarding the tax credit, visit https://oklahoma.gov/tax/individuals/parental-choice-tax-credit.html.
Cimarron will keep this page current as the Tax Commission publishes instructions. Join a visit or information meeting if you want notice when the next window opens.
Come see a class day
Walk the halls, meet the teachers, and picture your child’s week here.