It is no secret that the price of health care has surged over the years. However, a few states make it a little easier to take care of yourself without emptying your wallet.
In these states, sales tax does not apply to purchases of at least some over-the-counter medications. Either individual medications are exempt from taxes, or all over-the counter medications receive the tax break.
Here is a selection of states that do not tax over-the-counter medications.
Maryland
Maryland exempts some medicine and medical equipment from taxes. They include:
- Medicine: Includes both prescription and over-the-counter drugs
- Hygiene aids: Includes baby oil, baby powder, sanitary napkins and tampons
- Disposable medical supplies: Includes many things, from adhesive tape to glucose monitoring strips and dressing supplies
- Sales of medical supplies by physicians or hospitals: Includes items meant to “cure, mitigate, treat, prevent, or diagnose illness”
- Itemized physical aids: Includes a list of items specifically itemized in the statute, such as artificial limbs, corrective eyeglasses and wigs
- Medical equipment for the home of or on the person: Includes everything from bed pans to traction equipment
Minnesota
In Minnesota, all drugs for human use are exempt from taxation, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
Over-the-counter items qualify as drugs for this purpose if they have a “Drug Facts” panel or list of active ingredients on the packaging.
Other tax-exempt items include:
- Feminine hygiene products
- Food: Includes grocery foods and ingredients with nutritional value, but not vitamins and dietary supplements
- Other health products: Including diabetic equipment and supplies, baby products, mobility enhancing equipment
- Prosthetic devices: Including implants, braces, orthopedic shoes, prescription glasses and contact lenses
Virginia
In Virginia, nonprescription drugs are exempt from tax if they are purchased “for the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in human beings.”
Some health-related items — including family planning products, vitamins and toilet articles — do not qualify.
Texas
Over-the-counter drugs, first-aid supplies and supplements are exempt from taxes in Texas. To qualify, drugs must have a “Drug Facts” panel on the packaging, or be specifically prescribed even though available over-the-counter.
New Jersey
New Jersey exempts all drugs for human use from taxes. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter medications. To qualify, drugs must meet certain criteria outlined on the state government’s website.
The state also exempts many other items related to health from taxation, including:
- Feminine hygiene products
- Prosthetic devices
- Corrective eyewear
- Durable medical equipment
- Diabetic supplies and equipment
New York
New York does not tax prescription or over-the-counter drugs “intended for internal or external use in people to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent illness or disease.”
Many products not normally considered to be drugs or medicines — from acne preparations to sunscreens, as well as family planning products — also are exempted.
Florida
Florida exempts medications in a number of categories:
- Chemical compounds and test kits: Including things such as allergy test kits, blood pressure monitors and thermometers
- Common household remedies: Ranging from adhesive tape to witch hazel
- Oral hygiene products: A handful of items, including toothpaste, dental floss and mouthwash
- Prosthetic and orthopedic appliances: Applies to items dispensed via prescription and certain other items including canes and hearing aids
- Optical goods: Including prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses
Other products — including those to absorb menstrual flow, incontinence products and items for independent living such as bed rails — also are exempt.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, you will not pay taxes on prescription and over-the-counter drugs or medical supplies. Prosthetic and therapeutic devices also are exempt.
Many other items are not taxed, including:
- Acne treatments, lotions and creams
- Dental floss
- Petroleum jelly
- Toothbrushes
- Vitamins
Vermont
Vermont does not impose tax on purchases of over-the-counter drugs ranging from aspirin to medicated burn remedies. A list of such products can be found on the state government website.
Other health-related exempted items include medical equipment, mobility enhancers, menstrual care products and prosthetics.
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