The average woman has her period for 2,535 days of her life, which means Georgia assesses a special 7-year tax on the healthy experience of having a period.
Overview
Georgia STOMP seeks to eliminate the Georgia state sales tax on menstrual products, a tax that is unconstitutional based on the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. It is a tax that is borne primarily by women, who are already economically disadvantaged in our state. Menstrual products are a medical necessity, not a choice. These items should have been included in the exemptions given at the time groceries and prescriptions were exempted. Eliminating the tax now would remedy that oversight while removing barriers for those most in need.
Facts
Under current Georgia law, menstrual products are taxed at the full 4%.
Menstrual products are not optional purchases and are required for good health. These FDA Class 2 medical devices are unavoidable necessities.
This tax has is no male equivalent.
This is an issue of discrimination and inequity that can be solved with less than a .01% effect on the state’s budget.
This tax is assessed primarily on women, who are already financially disadvantaged in our state. 1 in 5 Georgia women live in poverty (20% vs 12% of Georgia men). 2/3 of minimum wage jobs are held by women. Women in Georgia make 81% of what men make.
Menstrual products should be exempt from state taxes like groceries, prescriptions, personal medical devices, hearing aids and prosthetics. This tax is discriminatory and should be eliminated.
Our Work
Op Ed: The tampon tax is ready to be eliminated in Georgia
This op-ed was co-authored by Georgia STOMP board member Rachel Perlis and UGA Law student Larken Cardin. Rachel G. Perlis is a UGA Law alumna and Atlanta attorney whose practice has included litigation, state law and policy, and most recently estate planning. She serves as a Board Member and Legislative Chair for Georgia STOMP, a […]
Join us for Tax Free Georgia Press Conference!
Join your voice with state leaders asking for Georgia to join the other 29 states that have no sales tax on period products! January 18th 9:00 am South Wing Steps on 2nd Floor inside Capitol We will gather beginning at 8:45 am Enter via security entrance on the south side of the Capitol on […]
Georgia Lawmaker and Georgia STOMP Push for Menstrual Equity and Eradication of Period Poverty
On Monday, May 15th, Board Members Claire Cox and Ashlie James joined Rep. Debbie Buckner on the WABE radio show “Closer Look” hosted by Rose Scott to discuss Georgia’s legislative efforts to address Menstrual Equity and eliminate Period Poverty.