New York Tampon Tax Law, Still Charged

Photographed by Tayler Smith.

Well, this is awkward. Back in May, New York became the 11th state to eliminate the so-called "tampon tax" — a local and state sales tax targeting feminine hygiene products as "luxury items." The move was hailed by many as a huge victory for New York's women. After all, pads, tampons, and similar merchandise are necessary medical products, not luxury items. "This is a regressive tax on essential products that women have had to pay for far too long, and lifting it is a matter of social and economic justice," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said when he signed the bill into law.

The law went into effect September 1. But it appears that some women in need of these products were still forced to fork over extra cash for sales tax. Last night, Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, who works for the non-partisan public policy and law institute The Brennan Center for Justice, asked women to #TweetTheirReceipts and celebrate that the tax's days are over.

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NY #tampontax exemption starts 9/1! Tweet receipts tmrw! #TweetTheReceipt @Cosmopolitan @JoannaColes @DaniSMcNally pic.twitter.com/9TCEQ9EUsO
— Jennifer Weiss-Wolf (@jweisswolf) August 31, 2016

But the tampon tax still appeared in receipts tweeted by a bunch of women, despite this being officially illegal.

So bummed that @duanereadenyc is still charging sales tax on tampons, even though the #tampontax is gone! As of this morning, the tax should be lifted. LOLA customers located in NYC aren't charged tax on their tampons! @jenniferweisswolf @nygovcuomo

A photo posted by LOLA (@lola) on Sep 1, 2016 at 10:57am PDT

Hey @NYGovCuomo ... what's the deal? The law you signed called for an end to #tampontax as of 9/1! #TweetTheReceipt pic.twitter.com/UKY1kjoLZ6
— Jennifer Weiss-Wolf (@jweisswolf) September 1, 2016

Did I miss something @NYGovCuomo ? Isn't the #tampontax done as of today? #TweetTheReceipt @LindaBRosenthal pic.twitter.com/8juSkDD2fh
— Margo Seibert (@Margo_Seibert) September 1, 2016

Didn't even think to check until just now, but yep, that tax is still there. @PPNYCAction @TheCut #TweetTheReceipt pic.twitter.com/AHLGvfELnK
— Mary Humphreys (@maryhumphreys) September 1, 2016

Uhg not pleased with @DuaneReade today #TweetTheReceipt full rant: https://t.co/06LUZB0aLW pic.twitter.com/hGOOo2JsjC
— Diandra Kalish (@DiandraKalish) September 1, 2016

While some outliers are failing to comply with the new law, at least some women were able to purchase pads and tampons tax-free.

HARTLEY Pharmacy near Columbia U happily takes OFF the tax! No notice from NYS, tho. #TweetTheReceipt @jweisswolf pic.twitter.com/E0RKeQWywe
— Michele Page (@michelempage) September 1, 2016

tfw when you buy a box of tampons and there's NO TAX! ? #tampontax #TweetTheReceipt @weracket pic.twitter.com/cQNLjJ5T6j
— Becky Hermenze (@fumbletons) September 1, 2016

NY #tampontax law in effect TODAY. We just bought tampons @CVSHealth & didn't get charged tax! #TweetTheReceipt pic.twitter.com/WkOlkzoidZ
— PPNYC Action Fund (@PPNYCAction) September 1, 2016

Refinery29 has reached out to Cuomo's office and Duane Reade for comment regarding businesses still charging the tax.

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