Ohio Decreases Tax Rate for Low Income Individuals and Families

Critics of the current tax policy point out that there is still a disproportionate burden on low income individuals and families in regards to sales tax. Sales tax is the tax individuals and families pay on purchased goods other than food, like toilet paper, diapers, laundry detergent, tooth paste, soap and shampoo, shoes and clothing, and other basic healthcare and hygiene items, as well as the cost of dining out, going to movies and other recreational activities. Low income individuals and families pay a higher percentage of their income on this tax than wealthier families. The most direct way to adjust for this is to charge a different sales tax based on the customer’s income level. Historically, this hasn’t been technologically possible, so other means of off-setting the disproportionate burden have been attempted.