The ‘tampon tax’ fight has reached D.C

[Phys251]

I smell stupid white knighting attempt coming from this sector captain.

Nice flame. You have no standing to blame the messenger for calling out disrespectful comments.

 

[reinoe]

What's the thinking in taxing food and water for that matter? We don't want people eating or drinking? Taxes are just nuts all around. These kinds of threads drive it home for me.

Most groceries are not taxed. At least not here in Nevada. Restaurants are taxed though because they're considered a service and not essential.

 

[Henrin]

Nice flame. You have no standing to blame the messenger for calling out disrespectful comments.

Disrespectful comments my ass. These people should be fighting to end the taxes on hygiene products as it makes no sense to tax something you want people to do, but instead they want exceptions on ladies products.

 

[tres borrachos]

Most groceries are not taxed. At least not here in Nevada. Restaurants are taxed though because they're considered a service and not essential.

States that tax groceries (rate if not fully taxed): Alabama, Arkansas (3%), Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois (1%), Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri (1.225%), Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee (5.5%), Utah (1.75%), Virginia (1.5% + 1% local option tax), and West Virginia (5%).

Which States Tax Groceries? | Tax Foundation

 

[whataboutbob]

They aren't the only ones. People in this country don't always brush or use toothpaste either. You asked. And it isn't just those who "can't afford it". Many have different methods of caring for their teeth, many of which do not include toothpaste.

The point is that you can go without toothpaste or even brushing your teeth and still maintain healthy teeth and gums using other methods that do not cause some great strain on your life. And yes, you can go without a tampon or pad but it would greatly affect how you lived your life. Something would have to be used or it would cause sanitation issues to all of society, especially if the women simply decided to go out in public and "**** it". Those same people who can't afford to brush their teeth also generally can't afford food, clean water, electricity, sunscreen, medicine, medical devices, candy, and other things that are tax exempt by various states in this country either, yet those things are tax exempt by many states with the reasons being that they are "necessities".

However, to the point of the thread, groups and legislators are asking for something that women in this country do need on regular basis, is taxed, but other things that are comparable get an exemption from such taxation in some states due to their being considered a necessity but this doesn't. They want that to change and are pushing for that change.

I asked because you made the statement that people can go without brushing and not have the consequences that going without a tampon could have. I asked for an example of someone who didn't brush that didn't have hygiene issues. You provided the example of the third world countries, which made little sense in the context of the conversation.

I have no problem with trying to change the tax laws. I just found your example off. As others have stated, toilet paper is taxed in most states too. Imagine if we didn't use that and went out in public. That is ALL of us on an every day basis. Not just several days a month for women of certain ages.

 

[radcen]

Viagra is a sex aid. Nothing more, nothing less.

As for the core purpose of the drug, boners are a side effect of it's true purpose. Viagra was developed to be a high blood pressure med. As for it fixing anything, it doesn't. It's a stop gap measure.

Then I guess you favor taxing heart blood pressure medications, as well. After all, they're only stop-gap measures, too.

Nice.

It is noted, btw, that you made a definitive "nothing more, nothing less" statement, then went to state the "more".

 

[reinoe]

You can go into any restaurant and take as much free toilet paper that's on the roll. Any public restroom. Fact is, toilet paper is already free if you know where to look.

 

[tres borrachos]

Viagra is a sex aid. Nothing more, nothing less.

As for the core purpose of the drug, boners are a side effect of it's true purpose. Viagra was developed to be a high blood pressure med. As for it fixing anything, it doesn't. It's a stop gap measure.

Um, you have a major contradiction in your own post.

 

[faithful_servant]

This is really just another attempt to cater to women.

Yep, just more of the same old bribing voters with their own crapola that needs to go away. However, I would say that any tax on anything that you need (not just want) is a bad thing.

 

[roguenuke]

I asked because you made the statement that people can go without brushing and not have the consequences that going without a tampon could have. I asked for an example of someone who didn't brush that didn't have hygiene issues. You provided the example of the third world countries, which made little sense in the context of the conversation.

I have no problem with trying to change the tax laws. I just found your example off. As others have stated, toilet paper is taxed in most states too. Imagine if we didn't use that and went out in public. That is ALL of us on an every day basis. Not just several days a month for women of certain ages.

What public restrooms don't offer toilet paper for free? In fact, we have laws that require public restrooms to specifically allow free access to such facilities including having toilet paper. Plus, unlike menstrual discharge, which is an almost constant and completely involuntary discharge during the days in the month a woman is on her period, both urine and bowl movements are controllable and able to be contained to a public restroom for most people. When it isn't, the person can get adult diapers, which in some of those places where people are asking for tax exemption on tampons, they are already tax exempt.

 

[buck]

However, to the point of the thread, groups and legislators are asking for something that women in this country do need on regular basis, is taxed, but other things that are comparable get an exemption from such taxation in some states due to their being considered a necessity but this doesn't. They want that to change and are pushing for that change.

Unless I missed it, you haven't provided a single comparable item that is not taxed. You tried condoms in Texas (which are taxed). You tried sunscreen in Texas, which is not taxed, as it is a drug due to FDA labeling requirements. You tried Viagra, again a drug. You keep trying, but failing.

 

[buck]

No. What I want is logic in our tax policy. If you're going to tax diapers, a necessary good, but not tax Viagra, a completely unnecessary good, then the ball was dropped somewhere. It's a sign of what our priorities are... and I don't like this look.

Still not comparable. Drugs are not taxed. Just because you don't like the effect he drug has.. Doesn't cause it to stop being a drug. OTC drugs, in many states, are not taxed. Tampons and pads.. Are not drugs and are not labeled as such.

 

[roguenuke]

Unless I missed it, you haven't provided a single comparable item that is not taxed. You tried condoms in Texas (which are taxed). You tried sunscreen in Texas, which is not taxed, as it is a drug due to FDA labeling requirements. You tried Viagra, again a drug. You keep trying, but failing.

I didn't mention viagra. But how "similar" does it have to be? Adult diapers aren't taxed in some areas. In fact, some places don't tax tampons or other such items. It all depends on the state and those fighting for it are simply pointing out that they are necessity for our society.

 

[faithful_servant]

What's the thinking in taxing hygiene products specifically? We don't want people using toilet paper and deodorant?

YEPPERS!!! All we need is a garden hose with spray nozzle in every bathroom and toilet paper goes away!! :twisted:

 

[Fearandloathing]

As a republican, I say eliminate as many taxes as possible. Glad to see liberal women joining for that, too bad they are only calling for the repeal of a tax that they are the ones to pay.

However, it really isn't a tax on women. It's just a tax on hygiene products. Same as toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, etc. The only difference is this one is only used by women.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/loca...3b1c0c-f84c-11e5-8b23-538270a1ca31_story.html

So, does that mean they have to remove the tax on women's clothes because only women wear them? Make up? Sex toys......wait not a good example

 

[faithful_servant]

Yes, hygiene products (even those used exlusively by women) are taxed as... well.. hygiene products. Is a tampon a hygiene product? If so, then it is taxed the same as other hygiene products.

From the Illinois sales tax code:



Nothing about "luxury" or "necessity"

Are you also calling for an end to taxes on toilet paper, toothpaste and all other hygiene products? If not, then why are tampons so special? Just due to the gender issue involved? BFD.

Again, I'd like to see all taxes ended, but.. I suspect that's not really what you or these protesters want.

I'd say that this bill is highly sexist/ageist since it's sole focus is on something that is of benefit to only one gender/age group.

 

[buck]

I didn't mention viagra. But how "similar" does it have to be? Adult diapers aren't taxed in some areas. In fact, some places don't tax tampons or other such items. It all depends on the state and those fighting for it are simply pointing out that they are necessity for our society.

So, name a state that doesn't tax incontinence pads. Necessity still has nothing to do with it.. At all. Like zilch.

Necessary products are taxed all the time. For some reason, you and others only seem to be up in arms about this single one.

 

[roguenuke]

So, name a state that doesn't tax incontinence pads. Necessity still has nothing to do with it.. At all. Like zilch.

Necessary products are taxed all the time. For some reason, you and others only seem to be up in arms about this single one.

Then you haven't been reading my arguments at all. I've said there are other things that could and should not be taxed, should get the exemption. Likewise I believe there are things that are getting the exemption and shouldn't (such as snack foods or candy and soda, and even some other items). And I'm not "up in arms" for this exemption anymore than others are in being against it.

 

[roguenuke]

So, name a state that doesn't tax incontinence pads. Necessity still has nothing to do with it.. At all. Like zilch.

Necessary products are taxed all the time. For some reason, you and others only seem to be up in arms about this single one.

One state where adult diapers are tax exempt (and baby diapers weren't as of 2012 at least) is Connecticut.

 

[radcen]

One state where adult diapers are tax exempt (and baby diapers weren't as of 2012 at least) is Connecticut.

I wonder the reasoning.

Adult diapers are dealing with a medical condition. Baby diapers are really just a pair of absorbent and leak-resistant underwear for an otherwise "normal" person, and we don't tax underwear.

That's all I can think of.

 

[buck]

I wonder the reasoning.

Adult diapers are dealing with a medical condition. Baby diapers are really just a pair of absorbent and leak-resistant underwear for an otherwise "normal" person, and we don't tax underwear.

That's all I can think of.

Most likely. Incontinence pads are medical supplies.

 

[DiAnna]

No, you weren't clear at all. You were horribly misleading and dishonest. You claimed that Viagra was exempt for being a "necessity", which without research I would've believed, when in reality it's exempt for being a prescription...the same as any other prescription. It was a dishonest, misleading, poor argument that suggests your argument is actually extremely weak since you had to rely on dishonesty to make it.

Many prescriptions are not "necessary"; are you advocating sales taxes on all of them? Or are you latching onto Viagra simply to create a gender argument to appeal to emotion?

From the link quoted in the OP:

She also said it seemed unfair that the District taxes tampons while classifying other items including Viagra as essential and therefore exempt.

This is what I based post #4 on. I researched a bit further, and added a link in my post #9:

For those uninitiated in the country’s tax codes (lucky you!), most states tax all “tangible personal property” but make exemptions for select “necessities” (non-luxury items). Things that are considered necessities usually include groceries, food stamp purchases, medical purchases (prescriptions, prosthetics, some over-the-counter drugs), clothes (in some states), and agriculture supplies. The lists of exemptions vary from state to state.

I was basing my opinion and understanding of this specific tax on the article linked from the OP, which stated that Viagra was "essential" and therefore exempt. Not once did that article claim that Viagra was exempt because it was a prescription. When I found further information about the prescription exemption, I posted that link and the appropriate quote.

I'm sorry I wasn't as clear as I'd thought I was. I'm even sorrier you felt the need to label me "horribly misleading and dishonest" for initially taking the OP's link at face value.

 

[whataboutbob]

What public restrooms don't offer toilet paper for free? In fact, we have laws that require public restrooms to specifically allow free access to such facilities including having toilet paper. Plus, unlike menstrual discharge, which is an almost constant and completely involuntary discharge during the days in the month a woman is on her period, both urine and bowl movements are controllable and able to be contained to a public restroom for most people. When it isn't, the person can get adult diapers, which in some of those places where people are asking for tax exemption on tampons, they are already tax exempt.

What do public restrooms have to do with it? We are talking about what people pay taxes on with regards to items they purchase. You seem to be desperately slinging things at the wall to see what sticks.

fyi... public restrooms certainly offer toilet paper and the cost of that toilet paper is worked into the goods/services of the facility you are using.

 

[whataboutbob]

What public restrooms don't offer toilet paper for free? In fact, we have laws that require public restrooms to specifically allow free access to such facilities including having toilet paper. Plus, unlike menstrual discharge, which is an almost constant and completely involuntary discharge during the days in the month a woman is on her period, both urine and bowl movements are controllable and able to be contained to a public restroom for most people. When it isn't, the person can get adult diapers, which in some of those places where people are asking for tax exemption on tampons, they are already tax exempt.

Also, as I asked before... how many tampons does a woman go through in a month? 10? 20? A box of 96 costs under $20. That means you are spending $5/month. Tax on that at even 10% is 50 cents.

 

[poweRob]

Also, as I asked before... how many tampons does a woman go through in a month? 10? 20? A box of 96 costs under $20. That means you are spending $5/month. Tax on that at even 10% is 50 cents.

What business is it of yours tip-toeing around the personal finances of others?