December 16, 2015

Luxury Taxes

Last week someone mentioned that women's sanitary hygiene products are taxed as a luxury item.

I laughed at what absurdity the statement was...then I researched it.

OMG!

The UK defines tampons as "non-essential luxury items" and are taxed an extra 5%.

Australia taxes women's hygiene products by 10%, again, because they are "non-essential".

In the States there is a luxury tax on products that are not considered to be essential which the lawmakers say affects the wealthy as the products taxed are fur coats, expensive automobiles, jewelry and, oh yeah, tampons. The government actually collects over 19 million dollars a year on tampon taxes.

As long as I was researching genitalia related items, I checked out jock straps and protective cups. Now these two items are not used for everyday life but for sports and to protect the almighty male package. There is no jock strap tax.

I checked out electric shavers. Men have facial hair. Shaving it is a choice. Using a razor or an electric shaver is a choice. Why are electric shavers not taxed as a luxury item?

In 2008 the state of New York was considering adding an extra 5% luxury tax on jewelry and furs that cost more than $20,000 and fun stuff like airplanes or helicopters that cost more than $500,000, yachts that cost more than $200,000.  The rich dodged a bullet on that one because the proposal was struck down.

There are even states that grant 'tax holidays' (Alabama, for example). On the holiday, say, July 4th, no taxes will have to be paid that day, except for tampons, they are still taxed.

I propose that all menstruating women visit your state capitol tampon free. Wear a dress or skirt and lift them as you sit on the benches (make sure to bring some sanitizing wipes, not sure if they are taxed or not). Attend legislature assemblies, again, wipe the seat with a sanitizing wipe, lift your skirt and leave a little non-essential luxury on the seats. Same for buses, trains and planes.

Sorry ladies, this is one of those biases we are going to have to take 'sitting down'!








11 comments:

  1. Personal training, massage, tattoos are examples of non-essential discretionary items that are seldom taxed. I don't know that I would consider them a luxury, but they are certainly seldom essential.

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  2. well, i can't participate being 59 and all that it entails but am surprised as heck.
    Here in WA state we are not taxed on food. But dog and cat food is taxed. Do we suppose the money goes to the welfare of pets - probably not. Will have to research this in the new year.

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    1. State of Washington does have a luxury tax on tampons. Oregon and Montana don't have sales tax at all. The states that don't have a luxury tax on women's hygiene products are Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

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    2. well hell, something the state guvmint DOESN'T tax here in PA! I can't participate cause (a) I am 61 and (b) I no longer have the parts to make a baby.

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  3. Menstrual products were never taxed as luxury items in Canada, but they were taxed at the regular rate as other manufactured goods. But due to public outcry, the government made them tax-free as of July 1, 2015. So the battle has finally been won here! But wouldn't you know it, I hit menopause eight years ago. The law, alas, is not retroactive, LOL!

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    1. Dang. You could have retired on your tax refund if someone had just thought of adding a "retroactive clause."

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    2. I've been thinking about your comment all day, Debra! Canada sounds better and better all the time. When I was a kid, living in Colorado and early on in California, I always thought about moving to Manitoba. Maybe it's time!

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    3. What Debra said :) My period stopped almost two years ago, so I missed out on this tax-free win for us ladies. But...at least my two daughters can benefit from it!

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    4. Maybe all of us post-menopausal crones (who have paid our dues as well as the taxes)can spur on the mothers and the maidens! Hell, if the '60's taught us anything, it was how to pull off a 'sit in'!

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  4. Isn't that just the stupidest thing you've ever heard?! We all know that tax law was written by a man!

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    Replies
    1. Sadly, I saw a little bit of the Republican Debate last night and heard stupider things!

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