Proposed laws you should know about: Reducing sales tax on diapers

Families dealing with the rising cost of just about everything could get a break under legislation filed by Illinois State Rep. Paul Jacobs to cut the sales tax on diapers and diaper wipes from 6.25% to 1%, equaling an 84% reduction. The new rate would be the same as that for medicine and food.

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, Illinois is home to more than 439,000 children under the age of 3 years old. With an average monthly supply of diapers per child costing $80, a tax relief on diapers and wipes can help family finances.
The Rockefeller Institute recently reported the results of a diaper need survey: 

• 51.7% of families surveyed indicated that purchasing diapers creates financial difficulties at least some of the time
• 50% of those families indicated they had to choose between diapers and other necessities. 
• 66.7% of the respondents indicated they were middle income ($50,000-$74,999) and had struggled with diaper need at least some of the time. 

“All families should have the resources needed to maintain their children’s health and safety without sacrificing financial stability," explained Rep. Jacobs. “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many families struggled to afford basic needs for their children, like diapers and wipes. Giving them a tax break on diapers, arguably, a need as basic as food and medicine, simply makes sense.”

Follow HB 4381 through the legislative process.