Porter: Sales tax on menstrual products discriminatory, must end

Today, members of the State and Local Tax Review (SALT) Task Force heard testimony from multiple individuals advocating for the removal of taxation on menstrual products. State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement in support of these efforts:

“I'd like to thank Chairman Travis Holdman (R-Markle) for allowing this important testimony today. In Indiana, menstrual products are subject to the 7% sales tax. Lower income and minority girls and women are disproportionally impacted by this tax, which will cost the average woman $700 throughout the course of her lifetime in taxes alone.

“Based on the testimony we heard today, 29 other states – including conservative states like Texas – have moved to eliminate the tax on these essential items, and it's past time that Indiana follows suit.  This is a discriminatory tax which impacts over 50% of our state's population.

“Not long ago, in 2016, the Indiana General Assembly moved to eliminate the tax on Gold Bullion – a product only available to the wealthiest Hoosiers – which costs the state at least $1.5 million each year in foregone sales tax revenue. If lawmakers were willing to make that sacrifice for wealthy Hoosiers, then we all have an obligation to eliminate sales taxes on necessary health care items.”