Ditching the tampon tax looks like progress, but in practice could cause further harm to overtaxed demographics in the form of raised sales tax rates on other goods. And to be clear, the tampon tax does not just cover tampons, these luxury sales tax laws impose a tax on all feminine hygiene products like sanitary padsnapkins. Feb 02, 2016 what is the tampon tax, why does it exist around the world, and does getting rid of it really promote gender equality. Eliminating the tampon tax is simply the fair and equal thing to do. Jul 22, 2018 the average woman has her period for 2,535 days of her life. And when washingtons very reliance on sales tax is responsible for its regressivity, a popular sales tax exemption could be seen as nothing more than legislative clickbait. But pressure is building and hopefully they will soon be forced into doing so. Democrats tampon tax repeal hurts the women it claims to help. This book was written in support of the many womens groups and organizations that exist and seek to make better for the social standing of women within communities worldwide. In conclusion, it may just be a tax, but it is essentially taxing women for being women.
Tampon taxes, discrimination and human rights by bridget j. Jul 25, 2016 proponents of ending the tampon tax allege that the law creates a double standard, with some states taxing tampons, while offering tax exemptions for medical goods. Traditionally, we dont discus sales tax as being a tax on a specific item, as it is misleading. The unsung history of the fight to end the tax on tampons. For anyone who has a period, these items are a necessitynot an option, not a luxury itemand should be treated as such. This means that tampon tax repeal is likely to benefit women who most need relief when purchasing mh menstrual hygiene products. Of the 40 states and the district of columbia that do tax menstrual products, the tax ranges from 2.
And so this week, on the first day of californias 2016 legislative session, garcia announced assembly bill 1561, which proposed an end to the tampon tax. Tampon tax is a popular term used to call attention to tampons, and other feminine hygiene. No girl should have to spend millions because she was born with a period so that we can have children. Only women have to pay for it, which proves that the tampon tax is contributing to the larger issue of sexism. Supporters of tampon tax repeal bills argue that women face an injustice when buying these necessity items, but that argument doesnt hold water. The tampon tax is a part of the national goods and services tax in australia. And so far in 2018, three more states have introduced anti tampon tax legislation. A tampon is a feminine hygiene product designed to absorb the menstrual flow by insertion into the vagina during menstruation.
The issue of the tampon tax has gained prominence over the past year. Throughout my essay, i will propose a policy change for the united states government, but will advocate for global policy change as well. The rest of the states maintained a tax on such products. Mar 06, 2016 of the 40 states and the district of columbia that do tax menstrual products, the tax ranges from 2. Antiabortion group in tampon tax row removes death.
Sep 14, 2016 tampon tax paid around the world each of these bills creates a new tax break or expands an existing tax break, mr brown said in a statement. Mar 21, 2016 and to be clear, the tampon tax does not just cover tampons, these luxury sales tax laws impose a tax on all feminine hygiene products like sanitary padsnapkins. While menstruation is a normal and healthy part of womens lives, in 40 states across the u. Why taxing tampons is bad for the world girls globe. Tampon tax repeal bills, whose introduction has become a recent fad in many state legislatures, merely seek to exempt tampons and other feminine. And so far in 2018, three more states have introduced anti. Seeing red on the unconstitutional tax on tampons northwestern. Like groceries, a necessity of life that most states exempt from sales tax, tampons are also a. Citing gender bias, state lawmakers move to eliminate tampon. But the premise of this question, and of the broader tampon tax debate, is wrongheaded. A brief history of the tampon tax value added tax is currently charged at the reduced rate of 5% on sanitary products, including panty liners and certain maternity pads.
We find that the tax break is fully shifted to consumers, but that the tax break is not distributed equally. Proponents of tax exemption argue that tampons, sanitary napkins, menstrual cups and comparable products. Tampon tax latest news, breaking stories and comment the. Gst is a value added tax of 10% on most goods and services sales, with some exceptions for. Cristen puts on her menstrual accountant hat and explains. Proponents of ending the tampon tax allege that the law creates a double standard, with some states taxing tampons, while offering tax exemptions for medical goods. But some view the tampon tax as an affront to women, who have little choice but to bear the burden of. All over the world women and girls are held back from their full potential, and we want this to change.
The tampon tax amounts to sexbased discrimination, said jennifer weisswolf, a cofounder of the nonprofit period equity, which is leading a campaign to eliminate the tax. Tampon tax paid around the world each of these bills creates a new tax break or expands an existing tax break, mr brown said in a statement. Tampon tax motion to remove gst gains government support tampon tax elimination timeframe still up in the air in addition to tampons, the change will include sanitary napkins, sanitary belts and. As a cultural matter, the tampon tax has gone unnoticed because of a history of cultural and legal unease about womens bodies in general and. Under a new goods and services tax gst introduced in april. In the uk, for example, tampon tax was implemented in 1973, at a time when female mps were so few and far between that they held very little power in parliament. The data shows that all purchasers bear at least some of the burden of the tax. In the summer of 2015, the canadian parliament took steps to exempt feminine hygiene products. Why the tampon tax is here to stay for a while at least. Aug 17, 2015 the tampon tax became a hot issue in malaysia earlier this year when the government overhauled the way it taxes consumers for shopping. Tampons are available in several absorbency ratings. Apr, 2017 the demand to end the tampon tax in the u.
Thats nearly seven years time of making sure you have a pad or tampon, finding a makeshift solution if you dont, and managing. Tampon tax latest news, breaking stories and comment. Value added tax is currently charged at the reduced rate of. Jul 25, 2018 the tampon tax is a part of the national goods and services tax in australia. Women have a long history of confronting discrimination in the financial. Rather, the question is whether feminine hygiene products are included in a states sales tax base. The tampon tax is a policy in which feminine hygiene products are taxed as luxury goods despite the fact that many countries exempt necessary goods such as basic groceries and medical products from sales tax. Jill piebiak, a feminist activist and organizer whose petition on for no tax on tampons got about 73,000 signatures, says womens menstruation is often just not a priority.
Value added tax is currently charged at the reduced rate of 5% on sanitary products, including panty liners and certain maternity pads. Tax free tampons is this really feminism or just plain fair. Oct 19, 2016 this article explains how the tampon tax is both a form of gender discrimination and a violation of human rights norms. Tampon tax removing the tampon tax is good politics, but. Nov 20, 2017 media caption counting the cost of the tampon tax a brief history of the tampon tax. Similar legislation was introduced last year in wisconsin, where it is awaiting a hearing. Jan 27, 2016 germany 19% tampon tax rate german ministers have yet to make a bold move into tampon tax territory. A tax on feminine hygiene products also known as a tampon tax was not new by the time social media interest in the topic appeared in may 2016, but a screenshot published by the page. The tampon tax became a hot issue in malaysia earlier this year when the government overhauled the way it taxes consumers for shopping. The british government currently slaps a 5% value added tax vat on sanitary products. Tampons and similar products are taxexempt in only a handful of states, including maryland and new jersey. Nov 30, 2015 tampon tax is just one example of the dangers of this. Tampon tax is a popular term used to call attention to tampons, and other feminine hygiene products, being subject to valueadded tax or sales tax, unlike the tax exemption status granted to other products considered basic necessities.
Feb 01, 2019 ditching the tampon tax looks like progress, but in practice could cause further harm to overtaxed demographics in the form of raised sales tax rates on other goods. Apr 29, 2016 a tax on feminine hygiene products also known as a tampon tax was not new by the time social media interest in the topic appeared in may 2016, but a screenshot published by the page. Value added tax is currently charged at the reduced rate of 5% on sanitary products, including panty liners and. The average woman has her period for 2,535 days of her life. Ideally, sales taxes should tax all final consumer purchases, without regard to whether items are classified as necessities or luxuries. What is the tampon tax, why does it exist around the world, and does getting rid of it really promote gender equality. Gst is a value added tax of 10% on most goods and services sales, with some exceptions for certain goods, healthcare. Germany 19% tampon tax rate german ministers have yet to make a bold move into tampon tax territory.
It is unfair even president obama said that it was probably only because only guys were the ones there and no girls were present to stand up. Media caption counting the cost of the tampon tax a brief history of the tampon tax. Welcome to brick caseys new tell all book about the hope for tax free tampons around the world. In most states, items deemed a necessity like food, medicine, and clothing are exempt. This map from fusion shows which states tax tampons and which ones dont.
This summer, canada made history when its parliament voted unanimously to eliminate a national tax on menstrual products. The fact that it is sexist should be reason enough to get rid of it. Over the last two years, a number of states have considered bills to exempt tampons and other feminine hygiene products from their sales tax bases. Jul 12, 2019 the tampon tax amounts to sexbased discrimination, said jennifer weisswolf, a cofounder of the nonprofit period equity, which is leading a campaign to eliminate the tax. The tampon tax is the perfect ofthemoment issue for lawmakers who want to signal their support for women and take a stance on inequality. First, it argues that the tampon taxan umbrella term to describe sales, vat, and similar luxury taxes imposed on menstrual hygiene products. The tampon tax is a policy in which feminine hygiene products are taxed as luxury goods despite the fact that many countries exempt necessary goodssuch as basic groceries and medical productsfrom sales tax. Gleason, opinion, the phony feminism of tampon tax repeal, usa today. Jul 18, 2017 in this article, we use the 2005 elimination of menstrual hygiene products from the sales tax base in new jersey as a natural experiment to study who benefits from the repeal of tampon taxes. A spokesperson for the department for culture, media and sport, which determines how the tampon tax fund is distributed, said the money is being.
Aug 31, 2017 tampon tax repeal bills, whose introduction has become a recent fad in many state legislatures, merely seek to exempt tampons and other feminine hygiene products from the state sales tax. People are just generally fed up with the thought that the government can make money off. May 12, 2015 the tampon tax debate in 1982 miller would go on to become premier, but his tenure did not even last six months. Over the last two years, a number of states have considered bills to exempt tampons and other feminine hygiene products from their sales tax. In this article, we use the 2005 elimination of menstrual hygiene products from the sales tax base in new jersey as a natural experiment to study who benefits from the repeal of tampon taxes. Aug 21, 2015 why the tampon tax is here to stay for a while at least. Once inserted correctly a tampon is held in place by the vagina and expands as it soaks up menstrual blood. I think the tampons did actually play a roll in it, copps said. The tampon tax debate in 1982 miller would go on to become premier, but his tenure did not even last six months. Second, the solutionexempting tampons and other feminine hygiene products from the sales taxviolates the principles of sound tax policy. This article explains how the tampon tax is both a form of gender discrimination and a violation of human rights norms. Specific petitions such as axe the tampon tax have been created to oppose this tax, although no change has been made.
Minnesota, pennsylvania, new jersey, massachusetts, and maryland specifically did not tax pdf feminine hygiene products. The fight to end period shaming is going mainstream. A lifetime supply of these products approximately 17,000 tampons and pads per person will cost thousands of dollars. The majority of tampons sold are made of rayon, or a blend of rayon and cotton. Full realization of gender equality will require revision of tax laws. First of all, its highly misleading to call the taxes that tampons are subject to tampon taxes. Alaska, oregon, montana, new hampshire, and delaware do not have sales tax on any items including tampons. Second, the tampon tax burden is greater on women with low incomes and without a college degree. Browse the independent s complete collection of articles and commentary on tampon tax. The luxury tax on tampons essentially taxes women for their periods. Throughout my essay, i will propose a policy change for the united states government, but will. Ending the tax, which promises practical benefits for lowincome women, is lowhanging fruit for legislators in liberal states. Since the start of 2016, 14 states have introduced tampon tax legislation, and those efforts are still alive in 12 states. The tampon tax university of missouri school of law.
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