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Tampon tax repeal officially goes into effect

February 10, 2022
Tampon photo illustration. Shot on October 10, 2021.
Tampon photo illustration. Shot on October 10, 2021. —
Photo by Lauren Snyder | The State News

The state of Michigan will no longer have a 6% sales tax on menstrual products.

The bills were passed in the Michigan House and Senate in October before being signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Nov. 6. It officially went into law on Feb. 3.

The law amends Michigan’s tax code to make it so products like tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups and sanitary napkins.

Much of the criticism of the sales tax still being included is that it means the people who are menstruating are being charged a higher cost for products that are essential.

“Today, Michigan has officially ended the #TamponTax. The #mileg Progressive Women’s Caucus @MichiganPWC and so many legislators championed our bills to #EndPeriodPoverty, and we finally got this done. Period products are not a luxury!” Michigan House Democratic Leader Rep. Donna Lasinski, D-Scio Township, tweeted. 

The amendment to the tax code was voted in a bipartisan fashion, with Rep. Bryan Posthumus, R-Kent County, sponsoring part of the legislation. 

“I think this is a big win for families and individuals throughout the state of Michigan,” Posthumus told The State News back in October. “We’re putting roughly $7 million back in the pockets of taxpayers throughout the state. I don’t know that we’ve passed any tax cuts for individuals since the governor took office back in January 2019, and this is a good opportunity to do just that.”

The repeal of the “tampon tax” was even celebrated by Whitmer, who tweeted, “Today, Michigan’s tampon tax is officially repealed. Michiganders will now save hundreds on the products they need.”

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