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There's nothing luxurious about my periods, so why is the Government taxing tampons

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
There's nothing luxurious about my periods, so why is the Government taxing tampons as if there is.

So came across this article while roaming Facebook and thought it was a rather interesting read, and wanted to hear your views on this. Have you guys signed the petition to take tax of buying tampons?


It's shocking to see how much a women spends on tampons/sanitary towels during there life time.


I've signed it!

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Wouldn't the more prosaic answer be that the Government can't actually remove VAT from individual items as it'd break EU rules....
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    When those on a low income can access free prescriptions, there is no reason why items as essential to your health and hygiene as sanitary pads should not be freely available from medical centres

    Damn right
  • plugitinplugitin Posts: 2,197 Boards Champion
    Wouldn't the more prosaic answer be that the Government can't actually remove VAT from individual items as it'd break EU rules....

    They could at least have a lower tax rate for these items, like some other EU countries.

    But no, it's totally not okay.
  • SkiveSkive Posts: 15,282 Skive's The Limit
    plugitin wrote: »
    They could at least have a lower tax rate for these items, like some other EU countries.

    They are on a lower rate of 5%. The Government is not permitted by law to reduce the VAT rate on sanitary products below 5%.
    When the UK joined the VAT system in 1973, we signed up to binding agreements on our VAT rates. This allows us to keep the zero rates we had at the time (on things like books and children's clothes), but it forbids us from introducing new zero rates. The lowest we can go is 5%, and that's what this Government has done on sanitary products, condoms, children's car seats, and various other things over the last few years.
    One other thing to note: VAT was never conceived as a tax just on 'luxury goods' which did not apply to 'essentials'. Most people would consider things like toilet roll, soap, shampoo, razor blades, etc. as pretty essential in their daily lives, but they all have VAT on them too - not to mention things like petrol, clothes, shoes and gas and electricity used in the home.
    Weekender Offender 
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Skive wrote: »
    They are on a lower rate of 5%. The Government is not permitted by law to reduce the VAT rate on sanitary products below 5%.

    When the UK joined the VAT system in 1973, we signed up to binding agreements on our VAT rates. This allows us to keep the zero rates we had at the time (on things like books and children's clothes), but it forbids us from introducing new zero rates. The lowest we can go is 5%, and that's what this Government has done on sanitary products, condoms, children's car seats, and various other things over the last few years.

    I did not know this. Looks like a vote for Farage is a vote for cheaper sanitary products. Lolz.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I did not know this. Looks like a vote for Farage is a vote for cheaper sanitary products. Lolz.

    Not many people do, though you'd have hoped a journo might have done a little bit of basic research....
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I thought there was a difference between men's and women's razor blades.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Whowhere wrote: »
    if you take it off tampons then it needs taking off razor blades.

    why?
  • SkiveSkive Posts: 15,282 Skive's The Limit
    There's nothing luxurious about cleaning my toilet but VAT is still applued to Toilet Duck.

    You have the get away from thinking that VAT is only applied to luxury items. Very little is tax exempt with most otems having different rates, the most common being the current 20%, a reduced rate of 5% and a 0% rate for other items.
    Note that there is a difference between being tax exempt and zero rated.

    Part of my job is too explain taxation to people. Its generally a bit of a minefield. I think sanitary products at 5% is about right to be honest.
    Weekender Offender 
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    While we've got an expert on the line! :D

    Is VAT added at rates other than 0%, 5% and 20%?

    How should I think about VAT if not as a tax on luxury goods?

    What is the difference between 0% tax and being tax exempt?
  • SkiveSkive Posts: 15,282 Skive's The Limit
    There are only the 3 rates With 20% being the current default value.

    Think of VAT as the standard for any goods or services traded, many things which arent luxury goods have VAT applied.

    If you are a buiness that sells zero rated items then you can register for VAT and claim vack VAT on your purchases, where as if you sell tax exempt items you cant.
    If you sell a mixture then you have to account for it.
    Weekender Offender 
  • SkiveSkive Posts: 15,282 Skive's The Limit
    .
    Weekender Offender 
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Whowhere wrote: »
    Shaving isn't a luxury either, it's a necessity as far as I'm concerned.

    How is shaving not a luxury? You don't "need" to shave. You do "want" to shave though.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Melian wrote: »
    How is shaving not a luxury? You don't "need" to shave. You do "want" to shave though.

    Some jobs require people to be 'clean shaven' so some people do actually "need" to shave
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Melian wrote: »
    How is shaving not a luxury? You don't "need" to shave. You do "want" to shave though.

    What on Earth are you on about? You don't "need" much other than food, shelter and oxygen.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hiccup wrote: »
    Some jobs require people to be 'clean shaven' so some people do actually "need" to shave

    Like porn stars - nobody wants a hairy stripper, especially if they've paid extra.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Shaving is a choice, periods aren't....
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Whowhere wrote: »
    Women can use rags and re wash them as well. I don't see your point. Men and women have been shaving for thousands of years. Look at the poorest countries on Earth, the men are still generally clean shaven. If the poorest people on the planet consider shaving that important that they spend money on it, then I consider it a necessity as well.

    Rags don't stay in place
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Not having adequate menstrual hygiene accounts for many gynocological illnesses and related deaths all around the world link. If you can't afford a washing machine, live in shared accommodation or aren't able to wash out re-usable menstrual clothes immediately because you have to use public toilets then you simply cannot use rags as a menstrual hygiene product. I consider that comment to be misogynistic and akin to women asking men to use kitchen knives to shave.
  • littlemissylittlemissy Posts: 9,972 Supreme Poster
    Melian wrote: »
    How is shaving not a luxury? You don't "need" to shave. You do "want" to shave though.

    You don't *need* to use tampons either though. You could use a more eco friendly mooncup.

    /playing devils advocate.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    You don't *need* to use tampons either though. You could use a more eco friendly mooncup.

    /playing devils advocate.

    Not every women gets on with a mooncup. I didn't. And yes, I did try and try again.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Miss_Riot wrote: »
    Shaving is a choice, periods aren't....

    You're making a category error: growing beard hair and having periods aren't a choice; putting VAT on products associated with those conditions is a choice.
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