The Tampon Tax Is Finally Abolished in New York State
It’s about time.
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has just signed a bill that eliminates sales tax on feminine hygiene products. According to a statement released by the governor’s office, Cuomo sees it crucial to lift the more than 50-year-old tax “that women have had to pay for far too long” in order to bring about “economic justice.” First introduced in 1965, the tampon tax has been increasing the financial burden on women throughout the decades. With the renewed legislation, New York now becomes the sixth state in the entire country to abolish the tax, allowing women to save an estimated $10 million USD a year for consuming feminine hygiene products like tampons.
Speaking of the abolishment of the tax, assembly member Linda B. Rosenthal expressed her joy:
I am proud that my bill exempting feminine hygiene products from state and local sales tax has been signed into law by the Governor. The signing of this bill into law represents a new dawn. Women statewide will no longer be burdened by a lingering tax that was levied at a time when women were not part of government and the decision-making process. The tampon tax is regressive, and lifting it will spare all women the extra monthly burden of paying taxes on products that are already unaffordable to many.
You can also read the State Governor’s tweet below to learn more about the updated policy.
I signed legislation that eliminates sales tax on feminine hygiene products: https://t.co/DRuQI535zl pic.twitter.com/QOUtlwvPkV
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 21, 2016
