Oklahoma Administrative Code
Title 710 - Oklahoma Tax Commission
Chapter 1 - Administrative Operations
Subchapter 3 - Public Policy
Part 11 - PUBLIC RECORDS
Section 710:1-3-73 - Opinions and letter rulings

(a) Opinions not issued by the Commission. An "opinion" is a formal document, generally prepared by legal counsel, expressing conclusions that interpret or apply the law to a set of assumed facts. As so defined, the Oklahoma Tax Commission does not issue opinions. However, legal counsel may prepare such a document to advise the Commission or a Division within the Commission.

(b) "Opinion" defined. Thus, an "opinion," with respect to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, means a written communication embodying formal legal advice, upon which the Commission may base, in whole or in part, administrative decisions, decisions in individual tax proceedings, or prospective policy decisions. Opinions, being advisory to the Commission, do not constitute authority by any party for challenging any matter pending before the Commission.

(c) Opinion may impact policy, rulemaking. To the degree that a policy of the Commission, based upon such a legal opinion, impacts broad segments of taxpayers and is to be given future effect by the Commission, such policy may be promulgated as a rule of the Commission.

(d) Availability of opinions. Such opinions as may be made available to the public, pursuant to the provisions of Section 302(A)(4) of Title 75, as further defined and limited by the terms of Section 24A.1, et seq. of Title 51, will be limited to those which are, or will be embodied in policy of the Commission.

(e) "Letter ruling" described. The Tax Policy and Research Division and the Office of the General Counsel may draft and issue letter rulings, which are informal written statements of policy or treatment of specific fact situations under Oklahoma tax law. Such a letter ruling may generally be relied upon only by the taxpayer to whom it is issued, provided that all facts have been accurately and completely stated, and that there has been no change in applicable law.

(f) Requests for letter rulings. Requests by individuals or groups of taxpayers for letter rulings will be honored by the Commission, at its discretion, and in consideration of the time and resources available to respond to such requests. Requests for letter rulings should be made to the Tax Policy and Research Division, Oklahoma Tax Commission, Oklahoma City, OK 73194.

(g) Letter ruling may initiate rulemaking. To the degree that a letter ruling impacts broad segments of taxpayers and is to be given future effect by the Commission, such letter ruling may become the basis for a rule of the Commission.

(h) Availability of letter rulings. Letter rulings may be viewed online at tax.ok.gov.