Florida Just Became The Latest State To Abolish The 'Tampon Tax'

Florida just joined the growing list of states that have put an end to the so-called “tampon tax.” 
Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a law on Thursday making feminine hygiene products including tampons, pads and menstrual cups tax-exempt, the AP reports. The law goes into effect in January.
The measure was part of a larger $180 million tax cut package. 
The majority of states across the country subject menstrual products to sales taxes because they’re considered a “luxury” item.
But opponents of the standard argue that feminine products are a necessity and that taxing them is effectively a tax on menstruation. (The Tax Foundation, the conservative-leaning non-profit, has countered that ideally, sales tax should apply to all consumer products, regardless of whether they’re a “necessity” or “luxury.”)
According to the AP, Florida now joins 13 other states that, in addition to Washington D.C., have exempt menstrual products from sales tax or do not have a sales tax at all. Measures doing away with the tax have enjoyed unusually bi-partisan support in state legislators, prompting media outlets to call them “viral legislation.” Florida, for example, is a politically purple state with a decidedly mixed record on reproductive and women’s rights ― yet the change was supported by progressive and conservative lawmakers alike.
“This common sense legislation will result in a tax saving...

Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - May 26, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news