Bill eliminating ‘tampon tax’ in South Carolina heads to governor’s desk

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD)- A bill that would eliminate the so-called “tampon tax” in South Carolina moved one step closer toward becoming law Wednesday.

State senators unanimously approved a measure that exempts feminine hygiene products, such as tampons and pads, from sales tax. The bill passed the House last year and now heads to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk for signature.

Currently, 21 states categorize menstrual products as luxuries, or non-essentials, and impose a sales tax of between 4% and 7% on these items.

“Anyone will tell you it’s not a luxury,” said Karen Culbreath, executive director of the Period Project. ” A luxury is something that you can decide that you need or you don’t need. Women — menstruators — here in South Carolina do not have that ability. This is a God-given gift that we have to manage on a monthly basis.”

The average woman spends about $20 on feminine hygiene products per cycle, according to 2021 estimates from the National Organization on Women. That figure does not account for inflation which pushed tampon and pad prices even higher in 2022.

South Carolina’s standard 6% sales tax rate adds a few dollars each month to the cost of these items, creating an added barrier to access for women across the state, especially those in low-income areas, who already struggle to afford these products.

“It’s one thing to be able to afford it when you look at it on the shelf. But when you get to the counter and you realize you have to pay an additional amount, it provides additional stress,” Culbreath said. “So this provides those who are already struggling financially, the opportunity to purchase these products free of an additional cost.”

The state would lose about $5.9 million in revenue by exempting these products and local governments would see their coffers shrink by about $1.4 million, according to 2023 fiscal impact estimates.

Culbreath said it’s a small price to pay.

“It’s an inequitable tax anyway. The tax was only being paid by 50% of the population…it should have never been that way,” she said. “The State of South Carolina has more money out there, to the tune of billions, that they can use to cover any costs that this may take away from our budget. It’s a very small price to pay specifically for the dignity of those who are financially and economically challenged.”

If signed into law, period products would become the latest item exempt from sales tax in South Carolina. The list already includes hearing aids, zoo plants and animals, farm machinery, medicine and medical supplies, and dozens of other items.