Is a German company packaging tampons as books to secure a lower tax rate?
By Sarah Thompson
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NO
The Tampon Book was a 2019 publicity stunt meant to raise awareness about Germany's unequal taxation of tampons rather than dodge taxes. Organizers sold tampons packaged as a book to draw attention to the fact that Germany taxed tampons at 19% as a "luxury" good while books were taxed at 7%.
Later that year, Germany announced that tampons would be taxed at the regular rate of 7%, effective January 1, 2020.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
The Female Company The Tampon Book
Stern (Germany) Period products will be taxed at a reduced rate from 2020!
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