Oct 14, 2025 - News

Iowa could yank its vitamin tax

Jason Clayworth

Illustration of a pill bottle with a hundred dollar bill for a label — Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Iowa would join a handful of states that explicitly exempt taxes on vitamins and dietary supplements under a bill introduced by lawmakers this year.

Why it matters: The bill, which can be called up in next year's legislative session, may foreshadow legislative efforts in the state's growing dietary supplement industry.

Catch up quick: A group of 23 Iowa House Republicans sponsored the bill, including three from Polk County — Eddie Andrews, Bill Gustoff and Ryan Weldon.

It would cost Iowa governments an estimated $48.5 million in tax revenue over its first five years, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency.

What they're saying: Iowa lawmakers from both parties see the cuts as an effort to save taxpayers money.

And it could help people lead healthier lives, Rep. Aime Wichtendahl (D-Hiawatha) told KCRG.

State of play: At least seven states and Washington, D.C., do not tax the most common definitions of dietary supplements and vitamins, with most explicitly exempting them, according to TaxValet, a company that offers sales tax compliance and management services.

In the Midwest, Kansas and Michigan exempt them, per TaxValet.

What we're watching: Whether debate on the bill is revived in the legislative session that begins Jan. 12.

Add Axios on Google

Iowa could yank its vitamin tax

More Des Moines stories