The Current State of the Tampon Tax—and How We're Going to Eliminate It
In states like Alabama and Texas, you can grab a Snickers bar from a vending machine tax-free, but when women need to purchase a tampon or pad—for a routine bodily function that often causes pain, discomfort, and prohibits many of us from attending work or school—these items are not considered "necessities of life," and are therefore taxed. Because of this tax, women in the United States are estimated to spend an additional $150 million per year on menstrual products. Just women.
If men got their period, would we still be having this conversation?
Thankfully, organizations like Period Equity, a national law and policy advocacy group dedicated to ensuring accessible, affordable, and safe menstrual products, are working to remove the tampon tax in the 30 states where it still remains in effect. In June 2019, they introduced a collaboration with LOLA—the women-led period and sexual wellness brand—for a coordinated legal, advocacy, and public engagement campaign called, "Tax Free. Period." Together, the groups are raising awareness for the unconstitutional state laws in place, and aim to ensure all period products tax-free by Tax Day 2021.
So which states still have a tax on menstrual products and which states have eliminated it? Find out the status where you live, along with how you can take action and help fight for menstrual equality, via our handy guide, below.
Alabama
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Alaska
This state doesn't have sales tax to begin with, therefore menstrual products are tax-free.
Arizona
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Arkansas
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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California
Effective January 2020, California residents will not have to pay taxes on menstrual products until January 2022. However, after the two years, it will need to reconsidered by the governor when determining the state's budget. Currently, there is no permanent law in effect. More here.
Colorado
The city of Denver has eliminated the tampon tax, but a similar measure in the state legislature was postponed indefinitely in 2017.
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Connecticut
Connecticut eliminated the tampon tax in 2016. It was part of the SB 502 bill and went into effect on July 1, 2018.
Delaware
This state doesn't have sales tax to begin with, therefore menstrual products are tax-free.
Florida
In 2017, Governor Rick Scott created a $180 million tax cut package, which included eliminating the tampon tax in Florida. It went into effect January 2018.
Georgia
State Rep. Debbie Buckner introduced a bill in January 2019 to remove the tax, but instead the state decided to provide free menstrual products to people in low-income schools and communities. It's a great first step, but we can do better.
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Hawaii
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Idaho
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Illinois
Governor Bruce Rauner repealed the tampon tax in 2016, which is stated in SB 2746. Tampons and pads were originally taxed as "luxury items" ...I'll leave that right there.
Indiana
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Iowa
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Kansas
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Kentucky
House Rep. Attica Scott filed House Bill 23 in January 2019 and pre-filed Bill Request 107 in July 2019 to exempt feminine hygiene products from sales tax. It hasn't been considered since.
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Louisiana
In May 2019, Senator J.P. Morrell sponsored a bill to eliminate the tax on menstrual products. It stalled in the Senate, then was later revived and sent to the House. It hasn't moved since.
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Maine
In 2018, a bill was pushed forward by Maine's House and Senate for a sales tax exemption on feminine hygiene products, but it has been sitting on Governor Janet Mills's desk ever since. According to The New York Times, she called for a rethink of the entire tax policy.
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Maryland
Maryland's sales tax exemption includes feminine hygiene products, as it considers them medical products.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts' sales tax exemption includes feminine hygiene products, as it considers them medical products.
Michigan
House Bills 4165 and 4166 would exempt these products from taxes, but the legislation hasn't passed yet. In August 2020, with the help of Period Equity, three Michigan women filed a lawsuit against the state.
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Minnesota
Minnesota's law exempts a wide range of hygienic products from sales tax—even outside of the menstrual realm, like breast pumps and wheelchairs. You can see exactly what those are here.
Mississippi
This state currently taxes menstrual products, and has one of the highest taxes in the nation.
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Missouri
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Montana
This state doesn't have sales tax to begin with, therefore menstrual products are tax-free.
Nebraska
Nebraska's tampon tax bill, LB 170, was introduced by Senator Megan Hunt in January 2019. It has been indefinitely postponed since August 2020.
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Nevada
Nevada eliminated the tampon tax in 2018, citing that it placed an unfair burden on women.
New Hampshire
This state doesn't have sales tax to begin with, therefore menstrual products are tax-free.
New Jersey
New Jersey has exempted feminine napkins and tampons from being taxed, as shown here.
New Mexico
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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New York
New York eliminated the tampon tax in 2016. "This is a regressive tax on essential products that women have had to pay for far too long and lifting it is a matter of social and economic justice," Governor Andrew Cuomo stated when he signed the law into effect. It's also the first state that requires the disclosure of ingredients in menstrual products.
North Carolina
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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North Dakota
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Ohio
In October 2019, the Ohio House of Representatives passed a proposal repealing Ohio's tampon tax with unanimous support. It later passed through the Senate. In November 2019, Governor Mike DeWine made it official.
Oklahoma
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Oregon
This state doesn't have sales tax to begin with, therefore menstrual products are tax-free.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has exempted sanitary napkins, tampons, or similar items used for feminine hygiene labeled under the umbrella of paper goods.
Rhode Island
In February 2019, Rhode Island lawmakers reintroduced a bill in the House to eliminate the tampon tax. Democratic Rep. Edith Ajello and Democratic Sen. Louis DiPalma originally filed the bill in 2016, but had no success. The repeal of the tampon tax was officially passed in the FY 2020 budget. It was signed by Governor Gina Raimondo and went into effect on October 1, 2019.
South Carolina
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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South Dakota
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Tennessee
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Texas
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Utah
This state exempted its tax on menstrual products in December 2019. "The Utah legislature's willingness to end the tampon tax is also an acknowledgment of another stark reality: Neither Utah nor any other state can defend what amounts to state-sanctioned discrimination," Jennifer Weiss-Wolf and Emily Bell McCormick told Newsweek. "And state leaders are wise to avoid the expense of being taken to court."
Vermont
This state currently taxes menstrual products. However, in March 2021, the Vermont Senate passed S.53 to remove the tax, which will now move to the House.
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Virginia
In 2019, Virginia lowered the tampon tax, but has yet to eliminate it. In January 2020, the Virginia Senate unanimously passed SB 231 to completely eliminate the tax, but it hasn't moved in the House since.
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Washington
Governor Jay Inslee signed SB 5147 on April 3, 2020, eliminating the state's tampon tax. It went into effect on July 1, 2020.
Washington, D.C.
D.C. removed its tampon tax in 2016. The initiative was led by D.C. Councilmember Anita Bonds. "Women should not be taxed because they are women, nor should babies be taxed for being babies," Bonds stated at the time, according to The Post, referring to both tampons and diapers.
West Virginia
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Wisconsin
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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Wyoming
This state currently taxes menstrual products.
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To stay informed and receive the latest updates on your state's tampon tax, head on over to Period Equity's website. You can also find a running list of 2021 legislation in progress here.
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