Yes, surprisingly there is a tampon tax in Michigan, but it's not what you think. Currently, tampons, sanitary napkins and similar feminine hygiene products are subject to Michigan's six percent sales and use taxes. Michigan already exempts other necessities like food, medicine, certain medical equipment and even newspapers from the sales tax, but not feminine hygiene products, and that is the rub!

So, because of that, three Michigan women have filed a lawsuit against the state over the tax on menstrual products.

Fox 17 says the lawsuit alleges that the "tampon tax" is unlawful and invalid, violates the Equal Protection Clauses of the U.S. and Michigan constitutions and discriminates on the basis of sex.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs say that those who purchase tampons, pads and liners are forced to pay an additional $6.9 million annually in sales and use taxes to the state.

As of June 2019, fourteen US states specifically exempted essential hygiene products: Utah, Ohio, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

Last year, two Michigan lawmakers proposed a bill that would prohibit the state from charging sales tax on tampons, pads and other women's sanitary items, but it went nowhere.

In Michigan, women's sanitary products are currently classified as "luxury items."

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs are also calling for refunds to be issued to those who have paid sales tax for menstrual products over the last four years. According to the lawsuit, this adds up to over $25 million.

What do we expect? Who knows. You know politics and the snail pace our legislature works. Maybe we'll see a change this decade!

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