WHAT IS THE "TAMPON TAX"?
Items like ice cream, erectile dysfunction medication, and potato chips are often deemed so necessary by state government officials that they are exempt from tax. Despite this, many officials classify menstrual products as non-essentials, and 20 states impose a sales tax of 4-7% on the retail purchase of period products. States collectively generate over $96 million on this “tampon tax.” By not choosing to exempt menstrual products from sales tax, states continue to imply that they are not as necessary to daily life as food, clothing, and medicine. A period is not a luxury, so #donttaxmyflow.
WHY REPEAL THE "TAMPON TAX"?
There are four main arguments for
"tampon tax" repeal.
WHY REPEAL THE "TAMPON TAX"?
Systemic Discrimination
TAX REPEAL is a bipartisan movement
INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS AT REPEAL
Period POVERTy
The cost of the “tampon tax” exacerbates period poverty a lack of access to or inability to afford menstrual products. Period poverty is experienced by 14% of menstruators and leads to absenteeism, loss of income from missing work, reusing menstrual products, and increased risk of health issues (like urogenital infections).
The “tampon tax” has been abolished and reduced in various countries, many of which we call "third-world." France, Kenya, Canada, Colombia, Austria, South Africa, and Malaysia, among others, have revoked the tax. Ireland also sets a precedent as the only country in the EU to provide citizens with free menstrual products in public spaces.
Scholars believe that taxing menstrual products amounts to illegal gender discrimination in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. They often attribute the persistence of this inequality to the lack of people who menstruate in government.
"Tampon tax" repeal is one of few bipartisan reproductive healthcare issues. Repealing an unnecessary - not to mention discriminatory - tax is attractive to voters who value smaller government through a reduction in the tax base. Tampon tax repeal can be a rare moment of civility around reproductive rights in 2024.
Harnessing Your Voice
Youth in the 30 states that have repealed the tax - notably including Texas and Michigan- have driven "tampon tax" reform. Tax repeal begins by discussing the "tampon tax" with adults of different political affiliations.
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You can foster productive conversations about the "tampon tax" with government representatives.
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You can also use your understanding of the tax to encourage friends and family members to file "tampon tax" refund activation claims.
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