Most places have abolished grocery taxes, but these 9 states are still charging them
In nine places around the U.S., families are paying more for the exact same food at the grocery store, even when the advertised price is exactly the same.
In nine places around the U.S., families are paying more for the exact same food at the grocery store, even when the advertised price is exactly the s
Read Full Story at The Hill →Why This Matters
The persistence of grocery taxes in these nine states is more than a fiscal footnote—it’s a regressive policy that disproportionately burdens low-income families. Unlike most states that have recognized the inequity of taxing a necessity, these jurisdictions still treat food as a discretionary purchase, deepening food insecurity for households already stretching paychecks to cover rent and utilities.
Background Context
Grocery taxes emerged in the early 20th century as a way to generate revenue without targeting higher-income earners, but their justification has eroded as inflation and wage stagnation made food costs a daily stressor. While 41 states and D.C. eliminated these taxes by the 1980s or 1990s, a handful of states—particularly in the South and Midwest—clung to them, often citing budgetary needs or political resistance to broader tax reform.
What Happens Next
Pressure from advocacy groups and shifting public sentiment may force these states to reconsider, but legislative inertia could delay change for years. Meanwhile, inflation-driven food price hikes could amplify backlash, especially if neighboring states without grocery taxes use the disparity as a competitive advantage in attracting residents and businesses.
Bigger Picture
This issue reflects a broader tension between tradition and equity in tax policy, where regressive measures persist despite their disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. As states grapple with post-pandemic budget realities, the debate over grocery taxes may become a litmus test for whether fiscal policy adapts to modern economic pressures—or remains tethered to outdated assumptions.
