Gov. Stitt announced Thursday that the Oklahoma Tax Commission approved an order to allow Oklahomans to defer paying their tax bills to the state due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Oklahomans will still be expected to to file their state return by April 15, but they will be allowed to defer up to $1 million of state income tax (including self-employment tax) payments until July 15 without penalties or interest.

This matches the federal guidance issued by the IRS as a result of President Trump’s emergency declaration pursuant to the Stafford Act.

It also allows corporate taxpayers a similar deferment of up to $10 million of state income tax payments without penalties or interest.

The filing deadline remains April 15.

“This guidance is a proactive step to reduce the financial stress many hardworking Oklahomans and businesses are feeling during this time,” said Gov. Stitt. “I thank Executive Director Jay Doyle and the Oklahoma Tax Commissioners for working together with us to quickly approve this.”