Kentucky mom says removing sales tax from diapers would be 'a huge help'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- For the third year, a Kentucky lawmaker is pushing for diapers to be exempt from the state's sales tax.

As it stands now, every time a family buys diapers, Kentucky's 6% sales tax is applied. But former Louisville Metro Councilwoman and current State Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, said it's an unnecessary burden on families. So she's sponsoring a bill to remove the tax from diaper.

And the issue has bipartisan support. ep. TJ Robertson, R-Burlington, filed a similar bill in the House.

If passed the change would have a big impact on mothers like Allison Roth, a new mom to 4-month-old Georgia.

"Life is expensive. It's getting more expensive," Roth said. "And if you can save a penny anywhere you can, it's a huge, huge help."

Allison Roth and family — Justin and Allison Roth holding their newborn Georgia. Photo provided by The Roth Family.

The National Diaper Bank said infants can require up to 12 diapers per day at a cost of $80 to $100 or more per month, per baby.

For Roth, Georgia goes through about 10 diapers a day. She said removing the sales tax would mean her family could spend the money on other necessities.

Photo of Georgia Roth provided by Roth Family.

"There's just a lot that goes into a baby that you don't expect until you become a mom," she said. "You can anticipate it but you can't really understand it until you become a mom and you are paying those bills."

It's not clear why the legislation hasn't passed in years prior, but it's not uncommon for bills to take a few years to pass. Neither bill has been heard in committee as of Monday.

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, 25 states do not tax diapers, including Indiana and Ohio.

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