The New York State Senate today passed legislation that would exempt
several basic and necessary women’s items from being unfairly taxed. The
bill (S6726), sponsored by Senator Susan Serino (R-C-I, Hyde Park), would
exempt feminine hygiene products such as tampons and sanitary products from
the New York’s sales and compensating use tax.
Senator Serino said, “To consider that we exempt cupcakes and circus
performances from the sales tax in New York State, but not sanitary napkins
and tampons — products women depend on — is beyond comprehension. Today,
the Senate took a significant step forward in finally applying common sense
to our out-of-touch tax laws. I thank my colleagues for recognizing the
importance of this legislation and ensuring its passage this session.”
Currently, medicine, medical equipment, supplies to correct or
alleviate physical incapacity, and products consumed by humans for the
preservation of health are included in the list of items exempt from the
sales and use tax. However cosmetics and toiletry items are explicitly
excluded from the list unless they contain medicinal ingredients. Feminine
hygiene products are among those items considered taxable under state law,
despite being a necessity for women.
This bill would add sanitary napkins and tampons to the items exempt
from retail taxes to make the existing law fairer, especially for women.
Several states, including Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey,
and Pennsylvania have already passed similar legislation to end the
so-called “Tampon Tax” and exempt feminine hygiene products from their
sales tax.
The bill will be sent to the Assembly
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