Now that Oklahoma's grocery tax is gone, how much will you save? It's complicated.

Buying groceries just got a little cheaper in Oklahoma.

The 4.5% statewide sales tax on many food items officially came off the books at midnight after a bipartisan group of lawmakers approved the change and Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the bill earlier this year.

Here's a rundown of how much you might be saving and what food is now exempt from Oklahoma's grocery tax .

How much will I save on groceries with the tax cut?

The average savings that an Oklahoma shopper will see over a year will vary, naturally, based on how much food you actually buy.

Stitt has claimed Oklahomans will see an average of $800 a year in savings. But an individual or family would have to spend nearly $17,800 a year at the grocery store to avoid paying $800 in state sales tax.

The Oklahoma Policy Institute released calculations that break down the estimated savings based on annual income. According to their research, an Oklahoma family earning $40,000 annually will likely save about $125 per year. A family at the top of the income spectrum (more than $619,000 per year) would save an average of $408 per year.

The median household income in Oklahoma was $63,440 in 2022, the most recent year available.

To calculate your own savings, check your grocery receipts and multiply the subtotal by 0.045. It won't be a perfect answer, however, because not everything you buy at a grocery store will be tax-free.

Will I still pay tax on groceries?

The short answer is probably. Local governments can still charge sales tax, although they have the option of mirroring state law.

Oklahoma City's sales tax remains 4.125%. That means someone grocery shopping in OKC will now be paying less than half as much in taxes now that the state portion is eliminated.

According to the Oklahoma Municipal League, sales tax is the biggest funding source for many municipalities across Oklahoma. The city sales tax on groceries is most important, especially for rural communities without diversified economies.

Some food will still be taxed

Not every type of food is exempt from the state sales tax. Generally, the exemption applies to food and food ingredients that are meant to be prepared later.

Food that is hot, prepared for immediate consumption by the seller or comes with utensils will still be subject to taxation.

Here are some of the food items that will still be taxed:

• Deli sandwiches that are made by the retailer
• Hot soups and chicken
• Sushi made by the seller
• Dietary supplements
• Restaurant takeout and delivery
• Food prepared at a movie theater or concession stands
• Pre-heated convenience store food
• Coffee or tea in a reusable cup
• Alcoholic beverages

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Now that Oklahoma's grocery tax is gone, how much will you save? It's complicated.