Ohio Considers Repealing Menstrual Product Tax

Providing feminine hygiene supplies in Ohio schools, offices, and public restrooms may become more affordable soon as state lawmakers have proposed a tax repealing sales tax on menstrual products.

The proposal passed Ohio’s House of Representatives last week, CNN reports. It still needs to go through the Senate and Gov. Mike DeWine before it can become a law. Last December, the House launched a similar proposal, but it didn’t make it past the Senate

The ten states that have eliminated tax on pads and tampons include Minnesota, Illinois, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Nevada. Oregon, Montana, Alaska, Delaware, and New Hampshire also don’t tax menstrual products, but that’s because they don’t have general sales tax.

Although most states tax feminine hygiene products, critics say the practice is unfair because a sizeable proportion of the population doesn’t have a choice to not purchase these items. The tax especially impacts low-income people.

States that have chosen to keep charging taxes on pads and tampons say they cannot afford to lose the income. Nevada, the latest state to repeal taxes on menstrual products, said the repeal will result in a loss of US$4.96 million to $7.11 million in tax revenue per year. However, voters still approved the sales tax exemption, which went into effect on the first day of 2019 and will last until 2028.

Several states and cities have mandated for schools and other public facilities to provide free feminine hygiene products to building occupants, just as they would provide free toilet paper and paper towels. Learn more about these requirements as well as methods for safely cleaning feminine hygiene receptacles.