Member-only story
No More Tampon Tax. Hooray Brexit?
2021 brings an end to tax on sanitary products for periods but should Brexit get the credit.
Being an American living in England in 2020 has been a challenge for my goal to be an optimistic, glass-half-full kind of gal. There’s nothing like living through historic political upheaval in two countries at once.
So I’m always on the lookout for a sliver of positive political news from either country.
Yesterday I found one!
As of January 1, there is no more tax on tampons or sanitary pads in the UK. Hooray!
This is only logical. Most food isn’t taxed since people have to eat. Dealing with a monthly menstrual flow is a necessity not a choice for those with functioning uteruses, so why tax the necessary products?
Momma taught me to look for the silver lining in every cloud so finally I have one reason to gaze fondly on Brexit which otherwise looks silly and painful to me, although I confess I am but an ignorant foreigner.
Under current EU law, member states can not reduce the tax on period products below 5% because they are classed as luxury items.
Yup, you read that correctly. Luxury.
Look everyone, shout the Tory politicians who are even more eager than I am to pull a silver lining out…
