Iowa lawmakers consider exempting TP, laundry soap, vitamins from sales tax

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – You could save some money on several household items if some Iowa House Republicans get their proposal approved. They want to eliminate the sales tax on things like toilet paper, laundry detergent and vitamin supplements.

Laundry day may soon not take as much of your check on payday. State Rep. Christian Hermanson supports a bill that would eliminate sales tax on laundry detergent.

“I was actually frankly a little surprised that these items hadn’t been previously exempted,” he said.

The Consumer Price Index shows toilet paper prices went up another half a percent since November. Another legislative proposal they’re rolling out would tear off some of that cost by exempting it from sales tax.

“I think every little bit where the state can lean in and loosen the burden of sales tax on a family, on daily necessities like toilet paper or fragrance free, or just detergent in general, is probably a good thing,” he said.

Another proposal would eliminate the sales tax on vitamins and supplements. State sales tax in Iowa is 6%. If a bottle of supplements cost $10, it’d save 60 cents.

The democrat, on the subcommittee, Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, says proposals like this could help Iowans financially and physically healthier.

“Any amount of money that we can put back into people’s pockets at the checkout line is always a good thing. As I mentioned, it certainly can help people lead healthier lives who have dietary supplements and vitamins. I think at the end of the day you’re saving a little bit of money and being a little bit healthier,” she said.

If you’re wondering why Republicans picked toilet paper, laundry detergent, and supplement specifically…..“I don’t actually have any information on that. I just got these handed to me yesterday,” Hermanson said.

But – he hopes Iowans can catch a break at the checkout line.

We’ll get an updated look at national inflation numbers Thursday when the next Consumer Price Index report comes out.

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Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at conner.hendricks@gray.tv; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV on X/Twitter @ConnerReports, and on TikTok @ConnerReports.

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