Kansas’ state sales tax on groceries will drop from 2% to 0% on Jan. 1.
Gov. Laura Kelly signed the bipartisan bill in 2022 — when food prices had increased by 9.9% — and said it was a win for Kansans. At the time, Kansas had the second-highest state sales tax on groceries at 6.5%. Since then, the tax has decreased by increments each year.
Kansas will join 38 other states that do not have a state sales tax on groceries. Some exceptions will apply in Kansas, such as prepared foods that are solely required to be reheated or foods that are sold with utensils. Those items will still be taxed at 6.5%.
Brian Luton/KSHB “I think it’s going to help a lot of people,” said Jessica Niccoli, who was shopping at World Fresh Market in Overland Park, Kansas, on Saturday.
Niccoli’s husband is a meat manager at a local grocery store.
“The cost of food has been going up, and I see that every day,” she said.
In 2023, the tax was reduced from 6.5% to 4%, and in 2024 it was reduced to 2%. Kelly estimates axing the tax will save the average Kansas family of four around $500.