Senator Agard Introduces Bipartisan Legislation Exempting Menstrual Products and Diapers from State Sales Tax

MADISON- State Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) introduced LRB 0124/1 this week, a bipartisan bill that would remove the state sales tax on menstrual products, diapers, and adult incontinence products.

Senator Agard released the  following statement:

“Menstrual products and diapers are necessities, not luxuries. These products are essential in our everyday lives and should absolutely be exempted from state sales tax,” Senator Agard stated. “It makes no sense that viagra, potato chips, and kit kats are not taxed in Wisconsin, but tampons and diapers are.”

Senator Agard has been a champion of removing the “tampon tax” for multiple legislative sessions. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau recently calculated that the amount of sales tax collected in the state on feminine hygiene products is $2.7 million annually.

“It is not a choice to be a person who menstruates. Taxing tampons and pads as luxury items is an outdated policy that needs to change. Similarly, diapers are a product that every family has to budget for, and we should be doing all we can to make these costs more affordable and recognize them as essential items.”

“Ultimately, this is about equality in our tax code and respect. It is about supporting families and making these products affordable for everyone in Wisconsin.”

States across the country have been removing these taxes due to the unfair nature, however 30 states still tax menstrual products as luxury items.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.