Why wait to fully eliminate Kansas' food sales tax?
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State sales tax takes food off the table.
In 2020, 9.7% of Kansans were food insecure. The rate is much higher among kids and Black and Hispanic households. When the budget is tight, consumers make tough choices. Eliminating the state food sales tax would put hundreds of dollars back into Kansans pockets every year to buy more food at the grocery store and farmers market. Taxing groceries is bad for business. The state food sales tax has a negative impact on rural grocers’ profit and their employees’ compensation. It also drives consumers across state lines to save money on groceries. Forty of Kansas’ counties share a border with neighboring states, which exempt food purchases or tax food at a lower rate. |
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The state can cover the bill.
In 2021, the state passed legislation to gradually eliminate the state food sales tax by 2025. Why wait? The state has the revenue to cover the bill without harming the budget, and every Kansan gets a bite of this tax break.
3 Ways to take action
Hard facts on food sales tax
In addition to making healthy food more affordable for Kansans, cutting the food sales tax could help smaller and rural grocery businesses in the state by encouraging customers to shop in Kansas rather than in neighboring states with lower food taxes. Want to know more? KC Healthy Kids has commissioned the Kansas Public Finance Center at Wichita State University to publish a series of reports examining the ways sales tax on food impacts Kansans.
In 2021, the state passed legislation to gradually eliminate the state food sales tax by 2025. Why wait? The state has the revenue to cover the bill without harming the budget, and every Kansan gets a bite of this tax break.
3 Ways to take action
- Learn about the food sales tax. Explore our blog archive or read the white papers linked below. Search the Archive
- Contact your Kansas legislators. Call or email your state representative and senator to let them know why you support the elimination of the Kansas' food sales tax. Find Contact Info
- Share with your network. Post a photo of your grocery receipt highlighting the amount of sales tax you were charged on social media. Use the sample post below and make it your own. Tag Your Legislators
Hard facts on food sales tax
In addition to making healthy food more affordable for Kansans, cutting the food sales tax could help smaller and rural grocery businesses in the state by encouraging customers to shop in Kansas rather than in neighboring states with lower food taxes. Want to know more? KC Healthy Kids has commissioned the Kansas Public Finance Center at Wichita State University to publish a series of reports examining the ways sales tax on food impacts Kansans.
- The incidence of the inclusion of food at home preparation in the sales tax base: Kansas food tax puts an unfair burden on the poor and those in rural areas.
- The effect of the inclusion of groceries in the sales tax base on rural grocery stores: Kansas food tax takes a toll on rural grocery stores, their employees and local economies. Eliminating sales tax on groceries could boost economic activity and improve nutrition for Kansans.
- Sales tax rate differentials and cross-border shopping: With lower or no taxes on food in neighboring states, what is the impact on retailers’ businesses?
