Definitions - Tax credit

# A.

As used in this section:

# 1.

"Eligible employer" means a corporation, partnership or proprietorship which: a. has done business in this state for at least one (1) year, b. has not provided group health insurance within the fifteen (15) months preceding the offer to purchase group health insurance which meets the requirements of this section to at least seventy-five percent (75%) of its employees who are residents of this state and work an average of twenty-four (24) hours or more a week for said employer, c. offers the state-certified, basic health benefits plan to all eligible employees who worked an average of twenty-four (24) hours or more a week during the calendar quarter preceding the purchase of the policy, and d. pays fifty percent (50%) or more of the full cost of the portion of the premium attributable to the employee for which the employer is claiming credit;

# 2.

"Eligible employee" means an employee, proprietor or partner of the employer claiming the credit who: a. is a resident of this state, b. works an average of twenty-four (24) hours a week or more for the employer, and c. was not covered by a group health insurance policy or plan offered by the same employer within the fifteen

(15) months preceding the offer to purchase health insurance which meets the requirements of this section; and

# 3.

"State-certified, basic health benefits plan" means the basic health benefits plan developed and approved by the Oklahoma Basic Health Benefits Board prior to July 1, 1995.

# B.

# 1.

For tax years beginning after December 31, 1990, there shall be allowed to an eligible employer a credit against the tax imposed by Section 2355 of this title for premiums paid on behalf of each eligible employee who elects to participate in the statecertified, basic health benefits plan and meets the requirements of this section. The credit shall be in the amount of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) a month for each eligible employee and shall be allowed for two (2) consecutive tax years. Provided, if the tax liability of an employer pursuant to Section 2355 of this title is less than the credit to which the employer is entitled pursuant to this section, the Oklahoma Tax Commission shall pay a refund to the employer. The refund shall equal the difference between the amount of taxes owed, after any other credits or exemptions to which the employer is entitled have been applied to the tax liability, and the credit to which the employer is entitled pursuant to this section for the tax year.

# 2.

Tax credits or refunds may not be granted pursuant to the provisions of this section to an employer who, prior to July 1, 1995, was not covered under a state-certified, basic health benefits plan.

# C.

The credit shall not be granted unless the eligible employer certifies to the Oklahoma Tax Commission that each employee for which the credit is claimed is participating in the state-certified, basic health benefits plan.

# D.

The Oklahoma Tax Commission shall develop and issue appropriate forms and instructions to enable eligible employers to claim the tax credit. The Commission shall promulgate rules to facilitate the implementation of this section.