Tampon tax reform: How activists are pushing for menstrual equity

Imagine being taxed for a necessity as vital as food or medicine. This is the reality for millions who menstruate, as they continue to pay a premium on products they can’t live without. In a world where basic necessities like food and water are tax-free, many are wondering why menstrual products are still treated as luxury items.

Menstrual hygiene products are taxed by various governments worldwide. This levy, often referred to as the “tampon tax,” has sparked outrage among activists who see it as a form of gender discrimination. 

While products deemed essential for daily living—such as groceries and medications—are often exempt from sales tax, menstrual products remain unfairly taxed in many places. This issue is part of a larger problem: period poverty, which hinders menstrual equity and perpetuates the financial struggles of people who menstruate. Individuals and organizations across the globe are fighting back.

Understanding the tampon tax

In basic terms, the tampon tax is a sales tax on menstrual products. Menstrual hygiene products, which are essential for the health and well-being of people who menstruate, are still subjected to sales tax in many U.S. states and countries around the world. This tax, often viewed as part of the unofficial “pink tax,” makes products costlier for those who menstruate, adding an additional financial burden that people who don’t menstruate  typically do not face. As a result, many advocates argue that the tampon tax is a form of gender discrimination.

Why is there a luxury tax on tampons?

Despite increasing awareness and activism, the tampon tax persists in numerous regions, partly due to political resistance. Some lawmakers support the tax as a source of needed revenue, despite the adverse effects on those who menstruate. This resistance is particularly concerning given the recent surge in inflation, which has driven up the prices of essential items like pads and tampons. In 2021 alone, Bloomberg reported that the prices of pads rose by 8.3%, and tampon prices increased by 9.8%, making these basic necessities even more expensive.

The impact of period poverty

The tampon tax is a significant contributor to the broader issue of period poverty.. Period poverty refers to the lack of access to menstrual products and inadequate education surrounding menstruation. This issue has profound effects on the physical and mental health of people who menstruate, as well as their productivity at work or school.

In the U.S., period poverty is particularly acute among low-income individuals, the unhoused, college students, imprisoned individuals, and transgender people. For those already struggling to make ends meet, the additional cost of purchasing menstrual products can be overwhelming. 

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 reported struggling to afford menstrual products in the past year alone. The inability to access these products often leads to missed school or work, along with feelings of embarrassment, shame, or depression.

Status of state sales tax on period products

Efforts to eliminate the tampon tax are gaining momentum across the United States. As of May 2024, 23 states have exempted menstrual products from taxation, and five additional states—Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon—do not charge sales tax on any items. Since the beginning of 2022, states like Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, Virginia, New Mexico, and Louisiana have passed new laws ending the sales tax on menstrual products.

However, the fight is far from over. In 20 states, the tampon tax remains in place, with sales taxes ranging from 4% to 7% in states like Indiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Even in states without a statewide sales tax, local governments can impose additional taxes on menstrual products. These inconsistencies in tax policies highlight the ongoing challenge of achieving menstrual equity in the United States.

Status of value added tax outside the U.S.

The tampon tax is not just an American issue. According to the World Bank, more than a quarter of menstruating women and girls around the world — some 500 million people — struggle to manage their periods, often because they cannot afford sanitary pads. 

Some countries outside the U.S. charge a value-added tax (VAT), which is a tax added to sanitary products and other goods at different stages of the supply chain. Since about 2004, many countries have abolished or reduced VATs for tampons and pads. 

Kenya became the first country to scrap VAT on sanitary pads and tampons in 2004, and since then, at least 17 countries have followed suit, according to research by the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Among the latest countries to pass laws to abolish the tampon tax are Mexico, Britain and Namibia. Another 10 countries have designated sanitary products as tax-exempt goods or have exempted the tax on imported raw materials used to make them.In 2019, Australia removed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from menstrual products. In the UK, the tampon tax officially ended in 2021, but some retailers continue to tax sanitary products, undermining the progress made.

The fight for tampon tax and period poverty reform

Advocacy for the elimination of the tampon tax and the broader fight against period poverty has gained significant momentum in recent years. Activists, nonprofit organizations, and lawmakers are working tirelessly to promote menstrual equity, making period products more accessible and affordable for everyone who needs them.

One of the leading organizations in this effort is the Alliance for Period Supplies, sponsored by U by Kotex. This organization is dedicated to providing free menstrual products to those in need, especially those struggling with financial hardships. They have partnered with food banks and diaper banks in over 120 locations across the United States to distribute tampons and pads. If you or someone you know requires period supplies, you can text 211 or visit 211.org to find a nearby location offering these essential items.

Another influential organization in the fight against period poverty is #HappyPeriod, a Black-led nonprofit that delivers menstrual hygiene kits to people across the country. #HappyPeriod focuses on supporting low-income individuals, including those who are unhoused, and also provides menstrual education to teens. By addressing both the immediate need for period products and the long-term need for education, #HappyPeriod is making a meaningful impact on menstrual equity.

In addition to the work of these organizations, lawmakers are taking steps to improve access to menstrual products and promote menstrual equity through legislation. One significant piece of legislation is the Menstrual Equity For All Act, which expands access to menstrual products through federal programs and in specific locations, such as schools and prisons. 

This bill also seeks to prohibit states and localities from taxing retail sales of menstrual products, including sanitary napkins, tampons, and menstrual cups. The passage of this act would be a significant milestone in the fight to eliminate the tampon tax and ensure that all people who menstruate have access to the products they need.

Join the movement

If menstrual equity is important to you, there are many ways that you can help support the cause. Here are some impactful ways to get involved.

Support and donate to advocacy organizations

Organizations like the Alliance for Period Supplies and #HappyPeriod rely on donations and volunteer support to continue their vital work. Consider donating money or period products to these groups or volunteering your time to help distribute menstrual supplies to those in need.

Raise awareness

Share information about the tampon tax and period poverty on social media, in your community, or within your personal network. Educating others about these issues is a powerful way to inspire action and drive change.

Contact your lawmakers 

Reach out to your local representatives and urge them to support legislation like the Menstrual Equity For All Act. Expressing your support for eliminating the tampon tax and expanding access to menstrual products can help push these issues to the forefront of political agendas.

Support a petition

There are many active petitions on Change.org that need your support. Learn more about some of these petitions and consider signing them and contributing to their efforts:

• End Tampon Tax in Missouri 
• Stop period poverty: Eliminate the Tampon Tax 
• Eliminate North Carolina’s luxury tax on menstrual products 
• End the Tampon Tax in Indiana 
• End the Tampon Tax in Georgia 

Paving the way for equality 

The fight against the tampon tax is a fight for menstrual equity. As activists continue to push for reform, it is essential to recognize that this issue is part of a larger struggle against period poverty and gender discrimination. By eliminating the tampon tax and providing free menstrual products, we can take significant steps toward a more equitable and just society for all people who menstruate.

Your voice has the power to create change. By signing petitions on Change.org, or even creating your own, you can join the movement for menstrual equity and make a real difference. Whether it’s advocating for the elimination of the tampon tax, supporting legislation like the Menstrual Equity For All Act, or raising awareness about period poverty, your everyday acts of democracy matter. Get involved, make your voice heard, and help shape a future where everyone has access to the basic necessities they deserve.