The Pink Tax: How, When, and Why Women Paid More on Some Taxes

New York and Pink Tax

Back in 1998, Rudy Giuliani was the mayor of New York City, and he made one of the first laws in effect that put an end to the pink tax practice in certain areas of the city. The list he passed targeted dry cleaners and hair salons, as these ones had the most obvious gender pricing practices. The mayor signed the law into effect, and then you were supposed to not be able to see signs that would make men’s haircuts cheaper than women’s haircuts, as it was a common practice to have prices vary even up to $20 between genders.

By signing this law into effect, the mayor allowed and made it necessary for the city’s Department of Consumer Affairs to look for violators of these laws and fine them accordingly. This law also showed just how big the discriminatory practice is, and you should not be able to see such different price ranges in New York salons anymore.

If you are curious about taxes and their history, make sure you check out Taxes Have Consequences: An Income Tax History of the United States book!