Tampon Tax

About Tampon Tax

The tampon tax refers to the application of sales tax or VAT to menstrual hygiene products, which are often classified as luxury goods rather than essentials. The UK reduced VAT on menstrual products to 5 percent, the minimum allowed under EU rules, but could not eliminate it until Brexit. After Brexit, the UK abolished the tampon tax in 2021. Australia removed the GST on menstrual products in 2018 after years of campaigning. In the US, where sales taxes are set by states, a growing number have eliminated the tampon tax. As of 2024, over 20 states still tax menstrual products. The tampon tax debate highlighted how tax systems can embed gender bias by treating products used primarily by women as non essential.