Missouri families will no longer pay state sales tax on diapers and menstrual hygiene products, including tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and period underwear, under a new law that took effect last week.
The measure eliminates the state’s 4.225% “luxury” sales tax on essential hygiene products. It was approved in May as part of a broader bill that also repealed Missouri’s capital gains tax.
The exemption covers incontinence products for infants, children, and adults, alongside menstrual care items. With this change, Missouri joins Alabama in becoming one of the latest states to eliminate both diaper and period product taxes.
“Imagine the need for sanitary products being called a luxury,” said state Rep. Raychel Proudie, D-Ferguson, during a House committee hearing earlier this year. “Any of us who has experienced such a luxury once a month would argue strongly against that being the case.”
Advocates have long criticized the “luxury” label, pointing to the tax-free status of products like Viagra. Supporters argue the reform delivers meaningful financial relief for families. Missouri Department of Revenue Director Trish Vincent called the change “a monumental win for Missouri families.”
Missouri lawmakers introduced 17 separate bills this year targeting the diaper tax, the most of any state, according to the National Diaper Bank Network. Nearly half of U.S. families with children under age 4 reported experiencing diaper insecurity in 2024, according to a study by the network and YouGov.
Among those families, 79% of mothers said they felt stress or anxiety over affording diapers, with many reporting isolation and fears about the future. One in four parents experiencing diaper insecurity also reported missing an average of five days of work or school each month because daycares often require parents to provide diapers.
Period poverty remains a parallel challenge. The Alliance for Period Supplies estimates that two in five people struggle to afford menstrual products, leading to missed school and workdays.
State Sen. Barbara Washington, D-Kansas City, who supported the tax repeal, also introduced legislation requiring public schools to provide free period products starting in fourth grade. The proposal did not advance to a hearing.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Lifestyle Changes Key to Effective PCOS Management in India
PCOS Management: 6 Healthy Breakfast Options for Hormonal Balance
Probiotics May Offer New Defense Against Cavities, UC Berkeley Study Finds
