KEY QUOTE: "Recognizing the need to act quickly, Kelly has proposed taking immediate action to eliminate the state food sales tax on groceries and other items this year. This action will bring costs down for all Kansans and help make providing food, a basic need for all Kansas families, more affordable."

Food tax reduction an important step, but Kansas families can’t wait for full cut

• Last year, Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law much anticipated bipartisan legislation that took a stair step approach to fully eliminate the state’s sales tax on groceries. As we rang in the new year on Jan. 1, Kansans saw the 6.5% state sales tax reduced to 4% on groceries. Scheduled reductions take the rate down to 2% in 2024 and zero by Jan. 1, 2025.
  
  
• Ensuring Kansas families are safe and have food and economic security is foundational for healthy development. Access to food, whether because of affordability or location, is a struggle for many Kansas families.
  
  
• With increasing grocery bills, families can’t afford to wait on action. The good news is the state is well positioned financially to act. Kansas revenues have exceeded budget estimates consistently and a strong ending balance is forecasted for the fiscal year. 
  
  
• Kansas families could save more than $450 million over the next three years if Kansas lawmakers take aggressive action to eliminate sales tax on food.