MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation will begin collecting taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products on Sunday, March 1, according to a letter from MCN Tax Commissioner Mary Mashunkashey. The letter was addressed to all Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tobacco Retailer License holders on Tuesday, Feb. 10, just 18 days before the new policy takes effect.
According to the letter, Tribal tobacco shop retailers will be required to “report and remit tribal tobacco taxes in accordance with applicable MCN law and Commission regulations.” It will not alter the applicability of tribal sales or liquor taxes. Those laws are still in effect. This comes almost 11 months after the MCN’s state tobacco compact agreement with the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) expired on March 31, 2025.
Trevor Taylor operates the Broken Arrow Tobacco Outlet and the Mingo Tobacco Outlet. He is concerned about the new tax policy and what it could mean for his businesses and livelihood. In an email addressed to the National Council on Friday, Feb. 13, Taylor appealed to members to urge the Executive Branch to reconsider implementing the new tax policy. He claims that under the current administration, MCN-licensed tobacco operators have experienced a 20% decline in gross sales and a 40% decline in cigarette sales. If the Tribal tobacco tax goes into effect, Taylor estimates that gross sales could decline as low as 35% and cigarette sales could decline as low as 55%.
“My desired outcome for this situation would be for the MCN Tax Commission to rescind their decision to collect Tribal Tobacco Taxes while we are operating without a Tobacco Compact,” Taylor said. “To accompany this, I would also like to see the National Council draft legislation that explicitly prohibits the Tax Commission from collecting Tribal Tobacco Taxes during any period that the MCN is without a Tobacco Compact.”
“This would ensure that this never again becomes an issue for future Licensed Operators, future Executive Administrations and Tax Commissions, and future National Councils. This would also incentivize the process of Compact negotiations.”
Mvskoke Media consulted other MCN Tobacco Retailer License owners, who verified they also received the same letter from the tax commission regarding the new tax policy- none of those owners would go on the record. Mvskoke Media reached out to the Nation for comment on the new tax policy. At the time of publication, the Nation has not issued a statement.
According to Taylor, many other MCN-licensed Tribal tobacco shop owners have reached out to the National Council and Principal Chief Hill’s office. They have not received a response from the Principal Chief’s Office, but they have received responses from National Council members. Taylor said the National Council members who have responded have been receptive to the tobacco shop owner’s concerns.
