Tiny Tot Tax Cut aims to cut sales tax on baby items

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A new bill could have Wisconsin parents seeing some relief at the checkout line.

On Monday, State Rep. David Steffen (R-Green Bay) and State Sen. Jesse James (R-Altoona) sent the Tiny Tot Tax Cut to legislators in search of co-sponsors.

"The Tiny Tot Tax Cut would eliminate the state sales tax on baby essentials, which includes everything from diapers and wipes to car seats and strollers. This exemption will directly benefit young families by easing their financial burden when purchasing these necessities. Each of the items exempt from the sales tax under this bill are needed for the care, safety, and health of our kids," reads the press release announcing the bill.

The bill creates a sales tax exemption for many essential baby items including diapers, cribs, strollers, and breast pumps. For Milwaukee father of two, Vincent Goldstein, who has a preschooler and a newborn, the idea of cutting the sales tax on specific items is something he would like to see.

"There's a lot. There's a lot of stuff. Diapers are expensive. Strollers are expensive," he said. "That would be nice to have lower taxes on items that are for kids. It's for people who really, instead of cutting taxes for some millionaire, that's everyday people who are actually saving money."

At Milwaukee Diaper Mission, donations allow them to give people in our community the essentials.

"We know that, unfortunately, 47% of families with young children in the United States struggle to afford diapers. That's one in two families, and we know that's the case right here in Milwaukee," Milwaukee Diaper Mission Executive Director Meagan Johnson said.

Johnson, who encourages those who can, to donate to local diaper banks, said the Tiny Tot Tax Cut would not fully remove the need in our community.

"I think eliminating the sales tax would help a little bit, but I think access to free diapers is really what we're aiming for. Sales tax is a small percentage of what it costs to purchase diapers," she said. "We know that 70 to 80 dollars per month is what families are spending on diapering supplies for one child."

State Sen. Jesse James said in a statement to CBS 58, “Strong families are the foundation of our communities. The Tiny Tot Tax Cut would help Wisconsinites afford the increased costs of raising of family and would be another tool in the toolbox to support the next generation.”

The Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimates that such an exemption would save Wisconsin parents roughly $37 million over two years.

Items included in the proposed sales tax exemption are baby cribs, baby playpens, and baby play yards; baby safety gates, baby monitors; child safety cabinet locks and latches; electrical outlet safety covers; baby strollers; bicycle child carrier seats and trailers; baby exercisers, jumpers, bouncer seats, and swings; breast pumps, baby bottles and nipples, baby bottle sterilizers, pacifiers, and teethers; children's diapers, reusable diaper covers, and baby wipes; and baby changing tables and changing pads.