What the Tampon Tax Is and Why You Should Talk About It

Do you consider period care products essential? If you have a period, you know you have to use disposable products like tampons and pads or reusable products like period cups, discs, or leakproof underwear with every cycle.

Therefore, period care products are essential. So, why are they taxed as non-essential goods?

The Tampon Tax

The tampon tax is a state's sales tax when period care products are purchased in a retail location such as a grocery store. It applies to any product you might use during your period. They are considered “luxury goods,” which might be true if getting healthy, sanitary solutions to managing your flow is a luxury. It shouldn’t be, though. Period care products are a basic need for anyone who has a menstrual cycle, including siblings, parents, friends, and partners. The tampon tax impacts everyone.

The Products Affected

All menstrual products are included in the tampon tax because none are considered “essential.” Tampons, pads, period cups, period discs, leakproof underwear, panty liners, and pH-balanced intimate wipes are included in the tampon tax.

The Conversations You Need to Have

While some states have eliminated the tampon tax, many continue to institute it, and people with periods aren’t the only ones who need to talk about it. Everyone knows someone with a period. The health, safety, and comfort of people with periods affect everyone, and being able to afford or receive essential items, like period care products, is crucial.

So, there are conversations about periods that need to happen:

Period Poverty

To many, period poverty—a lack of access to period care products and education—is a harsh reality that interferes with daily life. Period poverty alone proves how essential these “non-essential” products are to people with periods.

Sustainable Period Care

Investing in a sustainable period care product such as a menstrual cup, disc, or leakproof underwear means buying fewer period care products in the future. You can use them for longer, and they are always on hand. While they may cost more to purchase than a single package of disposable products, they make a difference by costing less over time.

Period Education

It’s important for everyone to learn about periods, reproductive health, and period care products. With proper education, people with periods can learn what works with their unique anatomies and lifestyles. Everyone will also feel more comfortable talking about periods, making it a subject you can bring up whenever you need or want to—like talking about physical conditions, medication, and general interests.

The Way to Shop

Now, there are brands offering to reimburse you for the tampon tax. They can’t control the taxes at retail locations, but they can help you find the essential products you need and reimburse you for the taxes you paid on the products you purchased at a store. Look for sustainable brands such as Saalt, with a reusable cup for period flow, discs, and leakproof underwear, or other brands offering your favorite period care products. Make sure you invest in period care products you like, and don’t be afraid to reach out with any period care questions you might have.

Your idea of luxury probably has nothing to do with handling your flow every month. (That’s probably the least luxurious time of the month.) Period poverty attests to the fact that without period care products, people with periods are unable to function normally in society. They are essential products, and it’s important to talk about them. Help eliminate the stigma associated with periods, advocate for more education about periods for everyone, fight the tampon tax, and shop with brands that will reimburse taxes on your period care purchases. It will make a difference.

About Saalt

When you’re ready to change how you see your period, Saalt will provide the rose-colored lenses you put on at the beginning of every cycle. Okay, they’ll actually provide the high-quality period care products you will turn to for a comfortable, leak-free period—but it’s basically the same thing. Saalt’s collection of period cups, discs, leakproof panties, and period care accessories like steamers and washing solutions is ideal for giving you a new perspective on periods. With the proper care and attention for your body and your flow, you might start to say things like, “Je vois la vie en rose” because sometimes, everything looks a little better in pink (and sounds even better in French). Saalt works hard so that everyone can think of their period in a positive light, and with Saalt, it’s definitely a realistic view.

Find period education and sustainable period care products at https://saalt.com/