What states do not tax menstrual products?

Asked by: Gaetano Bauch III  |  Last update: December 12, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (43 votes)

Since the beginning of 2022, Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, Virginia, New Mexico and Louisiana have instituted new laws ending sales tax on period products. A map updated by Alliance for Period Supplies reveals which other states still tax these items.

What states are making period products free?

Some are more comprehensive than others, according to a map of legislation from Aunt Flow. California, Hawaii, Delaware, Maine (in grades six to 12), New York, Utah (in certain restrooms), Virginia and Washington are some of the states that mandate schools to have free period products in their classrooms.

How many states eliminated the tampon tax?

In November 2019, during a “special legislative session” and a Governor's signature, Utah became the thirteenth US state to abolish the tampon tax. Effective from January 1, 2020. In November 2019, Ohio became the 12th US state to repeal the pink or tampon tax.

Is CVS not charging tax on period products?

In October, the chain announced that it was reducing the price of CVS-brand period products by 25 percent in stores across the country as well as covering the sales tax on those products in 12 states. The affected items include CVS-brand pads, tampons, liners, and menstrual cups.

Are tampons taxed in Texas?

Diapers, maternity clothes and menstrual products are one step closer to becoming sales tax-free in Texas after the House passed a bill repealing the “tampon tax” Tuesday.

Taxes on menstrual products - what you need to know

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Are tampons tax free in California?

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Senate Bill 92 makes "diapers for infants, toddlers, and children, and menstrual hygiene products, defined as tampons, specified sanitary napkins, menstrual sponges, and menstrual cups," exempt from sales and use taxes. The law will expire on Jan. 1, 2022.

Does CVS not charge tax on tampons?

CVS cuts costs of period products by 25%, pays customer 'tampon tax' in some states. CVS Health is reducing the cost of its store brand period products by 25%. As of October 5, the company also began paying sales tax for menstrual products on customers' behalf in 12 states, most of which currently have a "tampon tax."

What states have banned the pink tax?

Only two states — New York and California — have made it illegal to have gender-based pricing, also known as the “pink tax,” which is the practice of charging different (often higher) prices for goods or services marketed to women than for men.

What is the pink tax on periods?

The pink tax often refers to state sales tax on menstrual products, like tampons, and feminine pads. Those feminine hygiene products are necessities for many women. But, many states tax feminine products as luxury items, while exempting other necessities, like groceries and medicine, from sales tax.

Is pink tax and tampon tax the same?

One controversial part of the pink tax is known as the tampon tax. This is a regular sales tax that's applied to an item in a category generally considered “non-luxury necessities,” which are typically exempt from sales tax.

How do I stop tampon tax?

See if your state has a tampon tax. Sign the pledge on taxfreeperiod.com to show your support for removing the tampon tax. Donate to nonprofit organizations that help fight period poverty and are committed to taking down the tampon tax, like #HappyPeriod & PERIOD.

Why does the pink tax exist?

The pink tax refers to the tendency for products marketed specifically toward women to be more expensive than those marketed toward men. This phenomenon is often attributed to gender-based price discrimination, however research shows that the primary cause is women sorting into goods with higher marginal costs.

What is the highest tampon tax?

A recent research article found that three Scandinavian countries — Sweden, Denmark, and Norway — have some of the highest “tampon tax” percentages in the world at 25%. Hungary tops the ranking at #1 with the highest tax being 27%.

Why is period poverty an issue?

Poor hygiene measures during menstruation can pose serious health risks, such as reproductive and urinary tract infections, thrush, and others. Menstruators require access to sanitary facilities, clean water, and affordable, safe menstrual products in order to have a healthy and secure period.

Are period products free anywhere?

Scotland is the first country to offer period products free of charge on a national scale. Others, including New Zealand and Kenya, distribute products for free in public schools. In the U.S., a package of tampons or menstrual pads costs around $7 to $10 for a supply that may last a month or two.

Which country sells free pads?

Scotland has become the first country in the world to make period products free for all. There is now a legal duty on local authorities to provide free items such as tampons and sanitary pads to "anyone who needs them".

How can I avoid pink tax?

What is the “Pink Tax?” (and How to Avoid It)
  1. Shop Around. Some businesses charge more for services, like dry cleaning women's clothing or haircuts, and some don't. ...
  2. Buy Men's Products. Often, the only difference between a pink and blue razor is the color. ...
  3. Order Online.

How much money does a woman spend on period products in a lifetime?

The average person who menstruates has about 450 periods in their lifetime; with an average of $20 spent on menstrual products per cycle, the cost builds over time to an estimated $9,000 over a lifetime.

Why the tampon tax is good?

With the funds from the “tampon tax,” the government should create social programs that can benefit low-income people and utilize this money to promote reproductive health by providing free routine gynecological examinations and free or low-cost insurance to support gynecological health.

What happened when a US state scrapped the tampon tax?

With tampons and pads about 6 percent cheaper overall, demand might have shifted to higher-priced products because of perceptions around quality, Xu says. She suggests that women opted for pricier products that offer more protection, and thus bought slightly fewer tampons and pads overall.

Is the pink tax discriminatory?

The pink tax isn't an actual government tax; it refers to discriminatory pricing that inflates the cost of goods marketed to women. It can also apply to the practice of inflating costs for women seeking services.

How many states tax diapers?

As of June 20, 2023, 28 states currently charge sales tax on diapers. This diaper tax can be as low as 4% or as high as 7% (Mississippi, Indiana, and Tennessee). In many states, cities and counties can add additional tax.

What is the tax on tampons in Georgia?

Georgia women continue to pay extra 4% sales tax on menstrual products until law is passed | WGXA.

Why is there no tax on tampons?

The sales and use tax exempts items that are deemed the “necessities of life” such as food or medicine.

Does Virginia have a tampon tax?

Effective January 1, 2023, Virginia eliminates taxes on personal hygiene products, including menstrual products.