Organizations and states are raising awareness of taxes on menstrual hygiene products
Menstrual Hygiene Day is May 28, highlighting the ongoing struggle of those lacking access to the menstrual supplies necessary for personal health and hygiene. Those hardships aren’t just in developing countries; many people in the United States can't afford basic menstrual products like tampons and pads. To compound the problem, a sales tax on period products is still levied in almost half of U.S. states, adding to the financial burden. Encouragingly, several state governments and retailers are taking action to eliminate or cover the sales tax on menstrual hygiene products, shedding light on this issue and providing financial relief to those who menstruate.
Half the population must purchase tampons or pads for decades, yet these products are still taxed as non-essential items in many states. Often referred to as the "tampon tax," consumers are charged a sales tax on feminine hygiene products in 22 states, according to the advocacy group Alliance for Period Supplies. Since this tax specifically targets a product that only those assigned females at birth need, it creates an unfair financial burden on half the population.
The tampon tax is also regressive because it disproportionately impacts the low-income who may already struggle to afford necessities. A study by Kotex revealed that 40% of women have financially struggled to purchase period products at some point in their lifetime. Over a third of Black (35%) and Hispanic (36%) people with periods report struggling to afford menstrual products in the past year alone. Those without access to period products report missing school or work and feeling embarrassed, ashamed or depressed.
On the positive side, efforts to eliminate the tampon tax in the U.S. are gaining momentum, with 23 states already exempting period products from taxation (another five states don't charge sales tax on any items). 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.
In South Carolina, one of the 22 states that still charges a sales tax on menstrual hygiene products, a bill to repeal the tampon tax has passed the House and is awaiting review in the Senate. According to economists forecasting the state budget, South Carolina could expect to lose $5.9 million and the local governments about $1.4 million in revenue if the tax is abolished. That's over $7 million back in the pockets of South Carolina's women and people who menstruate. And it’s only a small dent in the $4.1 billion South Carolina collects each year in sales tax.
In addition to the efforts of state governments, some organizations are taking the initiative to assist consumers and raise awareness of the tax. Since October 2022, CVS Pharmacy has paid the sales tax on all period products purchased in Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and West Virginia. (Laws in other states that charge sales tax on period products prohibit any organization from covering the tax on any product). The retailer has also lowered the regular price of CVS brand tampons, menstrual pads, liners and cups by 25%.
The period-care brand August will also pick up the sales tax on any of its period products purchased online or in-store. Like CVS, August is prohibited from covering the sales tax in states with laws prohibiting companies from paying taxes on behalf of the purchaser ( these include Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, North Dakota, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Kentucky).
U by Kotex, another menstrual hygiene brand, is also trying to reduce period poverty. They became the founding sponsor for Alliance for Period Supplies, a collective of independent programs that address financial problems people have obtaining menstrual hygiene products in local communities in the U.S. These programs collect, warehouse and distribute period supplies to those in need.
For individuals that want to get involved, the Alliance encourages people to advocate for change by lobbying elected officials to pass laws that remove the tampon tax and ensure everyone can access period supplies. Their website also offers suggestions for volunteers to find programs close to home.
