Sign In
Learn bits
World Affairs
Admin

03/01/21 12:40 PM IST

Britain abolishes sales tax on sanitary products

In news

Britain on  became the latest country to abolish the so-called tampon tax, eliminating sales taxes on women's sanitary products.

Highlights
  • Ireland is the only EU country that does not charge a levy on sanitary products as its zero tax rate was in place before the EU set its floor.
  • EU law stops most Member States from fully dropping VAT on sanitary products.
  • The abolition of the “tampon tax” will save the average British woman about 40 pounds (€45, $55) over her lifetime.
  • Scotland has already passed a bill that gives women free universal access to sanitary products in public buildings.
  • Countries like Australia, Canada and India have already eliminated the tampon tax, while some states in the US have also got rid of the tax.
Tampon tax
  • It is a popular term used to call attention to tampons, and other feminine hygiene products, being subject to value-added tax or sales tax, unlike the tax exemption status granted to other products considered basic necessities.
  • Proponents of tax exemption argue that tampons, sanitary napkins, menstrual cups and comparable products constitute basic, unavoidable necessities for women, trans men, and other people who experience menstruation, and thus should be made tax exempt.
Source: Indian Express

More Related Current Affairs View All

14 Nov

India’s tea, sugar exports raise sustainability concerns at home

'India is one of the world’s largest agricultural product exporters.' The Indian agricultural export is valued at $53.1 billion in 2022-2023, up from $8.7 billion in 2004-

Read More

14 Nov

Superbugs and the looming public health crisis

'LESS than a hundred years ago, antibiotics ushered in an era that transformed medical care.' It saved millions of lives and accelerated the development and use of complex surge

Read More

13 Nov

Healthy longevity initiative

'The World Bank report proposes a healthy longevity initiative (HLI) which takes a life course approach.' Briefly, healthy longevity entails sharply reducing avoidable death and

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps