New York, NY – Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan) today announced that the law she sponsored to eliminate state and local sales tax on tampons and similar feminine hygiene product takes effect today, September 1, 2016. The bill was signed into law by the Governor last month.

“September 1st will forever be known in New York State as ‘Ax the Tax Day’,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, the bill’s author. “Today, New York’s women have been unburdened from the gender-based tax on their normal, biological functions.”

The law, which was passed unanimously by both houses of the Legislature, exempts tampons, sanitary napkins, panty liners and similar products from the 4% state sales tax and any and all taxes levied by municipalities.

“This law will make a real financial difference for families who are struggling just to make ends meet,” said Assemblymember Rosenthal. “For all women, however, it marks the beginning of the end of the taboo that surrounds women’s health and menstruation.”

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal also sponsors legislation to make feminine hygiene products available for free in schools and to require tampon packaging to include specific ingredient labels. She is working on legislation that would make tampons available for free to inmates and in shelters, and to require the New York State Department of Health to conduct a study into the safety of tampons and their effect on women’s health.

Anyone who was charged sales tax on these products beginning today should submit a form AU-11 Sales Tax Refund form along with the receipt to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. The form may be downloaded by visiting https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/current_forms/st/au11_fill_in.pdf?_ga=1.205069200.1253925603.1461256010.