ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Starting Thursday, Missouri residents will no longer pay sales tax on essential hygiene items like period products, diapers and incontinence supplies, following the enactment of a new state law signed by Governor Mike Kehoe in July.
I think this is going to be great for Missouri families. If you have a baby or toddler, diapers can be expensive. This is going to let them keep more in their pocketbook,” said Trish Vincent, the director of the Missouri Department of Revenue.
The change reclassified these products from “luxury” items to necessities. This change cuts the tax rate from 4.225% on luxury goods to the 1.225% tax rate on necessities.
“I think that it’s good they did away with the taxes because it’s not a luxury item for women to have to go through their menstrual period every month,” said Allen Gregory Jennings, citizen of St. Joseph, “That’s no luxury, that’s painful, and babies need diapers because they need to be changed.”
Missouri now joins 22 other states in exempting these basic health products from sales tax.
Governor Kehoe said in a July press release, “…We are protecting the people who make Missouri work- families, job creators, and small business owners- by cutting taxes, rolling back overreach, and eliminating costly mandates.”
“It’s a good thing for individuals with kids and without,” said St. Joseph resident Chris Robertson. “I wish it was that way when I had my kids and they were that age.
The Missouri Department of Revenue’s website provides a full list of what items are exempt under the new law.