Package of Md. bills would eliminate sales tax on certain essential items

MARYLAND – Lawmakers want to help Marylanders save on sales tax when it comes to some essential items.

Saving on the Essentials

A package of bills would eliminate sales tax on oral hygiene products, certain diabetic care items, and diapers. “When you combine all these bills, depending on if you needed all of these [items], you’re talking potentially $50 or $60 a month in savings,” said Partner and Certified Public Accountant with UHY, LLP Mark Welsh.

As many Marylanders are still dealing with the financial impacts of COVID-19. Lawmakers say the bills could help folks to live without worrying too much about the essentials, while staying healthy. “With many families’ paychecks still suffering, and inflation rates rising, the financial hardships associated with COVID-19 are still being felt today,” said Delegate Steve Johnson.

House Bill 492

House Bill 492 is sponsored by Del. Johnson. It would eliminate sales tax on oral hygiene products. Those products include toothbrushes, toothpaste, tooth powders, mouthwash, dental floss, and more.

Researchers have linked poor oral hygiene with a range of health issues. That includes birth complications, respiratory and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. “It is easier to avoid costly dental procedures and long term health issues with early intervention of proper oral hygiene habits,” said Del. Johnson.

According to the National Institute of Health, people are more likely to have poor oral health if they’re low income, uninsured, or are racial or ethnic minorities. “Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is a lifelong commitment. However, the burden of oral disease is much higher in poor and disadvantaged population groups,” said Del. Johnson.

House Bill 282

Meanwhile, families with young children can end up spending about $1,200 a year just on diapers. In total, Del. Dana Jones says Marylanders spend as much as $12 million annually. “With that number expected to increase, due to recent inflation and supply chain issues, there is no national or statewide welfare program that can be used to purchase diapers or other essential hygiene products,” she said.

House Bill 282, sponsored by Del. Jones, would take the burden of sales tax off of those buying diapers. “Throughout this pandemic, I personally saw the severity of this need first hand, through my experiences working weekly with diaper distribution lines in my district and around our state,” said Del. Jones. “Diapers and other hygiene products were always the first to run out, with food banks and diaper pantries struggling to keep up their supply with the demand.”

House Bill 1151

Marylanders who are diabetic can also look forward to potential sales tax cuts. House Bill 1151 would eliminate sales tax for a wide variety of diabetic care items. That includes insulin products and equipment used with it, glucose supplements, urine ketone meters, continuous glucose monitors and related supplies, syringes, needles, lancets, and blood sugar testing strips. “If you’re diabetic and you use all those things, it could be significant savings for you,” said Welsh.

A Little Goes a Long Way

Put all together, Welsh says saving just a little bit at a time can add up to a whole lot of relief. That’s especially so for young and low income families. “They have young children, they tend to be younger adults, and don’t tend to make the most money. I think that’s where the savings are really going to come into play,” said Welsh.

Each of the four bills would go into effect on July 1st, 2022 if they are passed.