During the negotiations for the 2022-2023 Florida budget’s tax package, lawmakers included a provision that would include a diaper tax break in Florida. Diapers would become tax-free in Florida for one year starting July 1.
The effort was bipartisan in nature, but Florida Democrat lawmakers State Senator Lauren Book (D-Plantation) and Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando), were the ones who spearheaded the effort.
Book had proposed similar legislation for years, but it finally gained traction in budget talks during the recently concluded legislative session.
“Since I was elected to the @FLSenate in 2016, I have been fighting to eliminate the diaper tax for Florida’s families,” Book said on Twitter. “After years of hard work, I am proud to share that the 2022 state budget – as approved today – finally includes the removal of the sales tax on diapers.”
Since I was elected to the @FLSenate in 2016, I have been fighting to eliminate the diaper tax for Florida’s families. After years of hard work, I am proud to share that the 2022 state budget – as approved today – finally includes the removal of the sales tax on diapers.
— Lauren Book (@LeaderBookFL) March 14, 2022
Eskamani released an official statement relaying her approval of the measure being included in the tax package.
“As Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Committee I am committed to making life easier for working families and everyday people in Florida. That’s why I am thrilled to see a one year tax break on the sale of children’s diapers be integrated into the 2022 Florida Tax Package. Disposable diapers can cost families more than $70 per month, creating significant cost burden for low income families and cannot be purchased with food stamps either. This is a success for Florida’s families and our ultimate goal is to make this tax break permanent. I want to give thanks to Chair Bobby Payne for his support of this effort, and thank diaper banks across the state for their advocacy.”
Not only will diapers be tax-free, reusable diaper inserts as well as clothing and shoes for children under the age of five will also be tax-free.
According to Investopoedia, babies go through more than 2,700 diapers per year and disposable diapers can cost families as much as $100 per month.
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at The Florida Capital Star and The Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Photo “Anna Eskamani” by Representative Anna V. Eskamani and photo “Lauren Book” by Lauren Book.
