Ohio lawmakers want to eliminate sales tax of feminine hygiene products

Several Ohio lawmakers are pushing to eliminate sales tax on feminine hygiene products, such as tampons and pads. In the midst of state operating budget discussions, state Rep. Greta Johnson (D-Akron) and Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Columbus) announced the legislation Tuesday that would eliminate the $4 million yearly sales taxes. Lawmakers cited a recent lawsuit, which contends the sales tax on essential women’s healthcare items, also known as the “Pink Tax,” disproportionately affects women who already face economic hurdles given Ohio’s gender-based wage gap. “A tampon is a medical necessity for Ohio women— not a luxury item,” said Johnson. According to Johnson, with recent tax increases on tampons and other goods and services in Ohio, a woman will pay $632.50 in state taxes on tampons – two weeks of pre-tax, full-time income for an Ohio mother who earns minimum wage. Twelve states, including Pennsylvania and Illinois, do not tax feminine hygiene products. The “Pink Tax” has also recently been eliminated in Canada and Australia.

Several Ohio lawmakers are pushing to eliminate sales tax on feminine hygiene products, such as tampons and pads.

In the midst of state operating budget discussions, state Rep. Greta Johnson (D-Akron) and Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Columbus) announced the legislation Tuesday that would eliminate the $4 million yearly sales taxes.


Lawmakers cited a recent lawsuit, which contends the sales tax on essential women’s healthcare items, also known as the “Pink Tax,” disproportionately affects women who already face economic hurdles given Ohio’s gender-based wage gap.

“A tampon is a medical necessity for Ohio women— not a luxury item,” said Johnson.

According to Johnson, with recent tax increases on tampons and other goods and services in Ohio, a woman will pay $632.50 in state taxes on tampons – two weeks of pre-tax, full-time income for an Ohio mother who earns minimum wage.

Twelve states, including Pennsylvania and Illinois, do not tax feminine hygiene products. The “Pink Tax” has also recently been eliminated in Canada and Australia.