The current exemption set to end June 30, 2023
Orlando, FL – Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) has refiled legislation to prevent families from being charged sales tax when purchasing diapers and adult incontinence products. If passed, House Bill 29 would make Florida the fifteenth state to remove sales tax charges for these essential health and hygiene products.
In the 2022 Legislative Session, the Florida House and Senate agreed to add Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) and Senator Lauren Book’s (D-Plantation) legislation House Bill 85 to the 2022 Tax Package. This included a one-year tax break on children’s diapers, which can cost families more than $70 per month, creating a significant burden for low income households. One in three families in the U.S cannot afford the cost of diapers, struggling to keep their children clean and healthy. This tax package, including the diaper sales tax exemption, is only in effect until June 30, 2023. HB 29 would make the current diaper sales tax exemption permanent and expand it to include adult diapers as well.
Adult diapers and other adult incontinence products are currently on trend to overtake children’s diapers in market value, as seniors will soon overtake infants in population. It is critical to eliminate this regressive tax on necessary items in order to ensure families aren’t choosing between meeting basic needs.
“As the Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Committee, I am committed to making life easier for working families and everyday people. I’m honored that my colleagues agreed in the 2022 session to remove this tax, but we need long-term relief. Our seniors as well as adults with medical needs often rely on incontinence products; we have the power as the legislature to increase their ability to maintain dignity and access what they need to thrive alongside meet the needs of our little ones. I am confident this will continue to be a bipartisan effort, and one that is overdue to serve our constituents,” Representative Eskamani said.
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