South Carolina House votes to repeal period tax

The South Carolina Home voted on Wednesday to take away the state’s gross sales tax from interval merchandise in an effort to up the affordability of menstrual requirements.

“The Home simply voted to repeal the interval tax!” the state House Democrats announced.

The state lawmakers handed H. 3563, which amends the South Carolina code of legal guidelines to supply a gross sales tax exemption for female hygiene merchandise. The initiative has to get by the state Senate earlier than it may well head to the governor’s desk for signature. 

The invoice handed unanimously 114-0, with 10 state lawmakers absent or not voting. 

South Carolina is amongst many states with a so-called “interval tax” or “tampon tax” in place, which means menstrual merchandise — like tampons, menstrual pads, liners and cups — don’t get the gross sales tax exemption usually afforded to different primary requirements. 

If the measure makes its method into legislation, South Carolina may add to the 23 states that, in keeping with the Alliance for Interval Provides, at the moment exempt menstrual merchandise from taxation.

Proponents of lifting the interval tax argue it burdens individuals who want the menstrual merchandise, making them pay a tax that individuals for whom the merchandise aren’t mandatory wouldn’t have to fork up.