Lowering tax rate on hygiene items to the same rate as food would save Missouri women, seniors and families $11 million each year
JEFFERSON CITY — To help Missouri women, families and seniors save money on essential personal hygiene products, State Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, has filed Senate Bill 800 to lower the sales tax on diapers, incontinence products and period products, such as tampons and pads.
Senator Schupp’s legislation would lower the tax imposed on essential personal care products to the rate of essential food goods, 1.225 percent. Currently, the state sales tax rate on diapers and period products is 4.225 percent, the same rate as most consumer goods. The legislation is expected to save Missourians more than $11 million each year in sales taxes.
“At some point in their lives, nearly all Missourians are burdened with the ongoing costs of essential hygiene products, especially low-income families,” Sen. Schupp said. “This tax reduction is affordable, sensible and will make a huge difference for the women, families and seniors who need these products.”
A similar act sponsored by Sen. Schupp was approved as a floor amendment in the Senate during the previous legislative session. A fiscal study of the bill conducted by the Department of Revenue showed the largest savings would be felt by those who rely on adult diapers and incontinence products. That study found that children’s diapers cost Missouri families more than $157 million each year, while more than $700 million is spent annually on diapers and incontinence products for adults. Missouri women buy about $26.5 million worth of period products every year.
For more information on Sen. Schupp’s legislation, visit her official Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/schupp.