City of Madison first in the state to exempt hearing aids from sales and use tax

MADISON – Sales tax on hearing aids has been eliminated in the city of Madison following Monday’s Madison City Council meeting.

The 2024-206 ordinance amended the cities code after passing with a unanimous vote. HB 51 help eliminate the state sales tax on hearing aids. However, it is still up to each municipality and county to approve ending sales tax locally. Madison is the first city in the state to move to support the residents who rely on hearing aids.

During the city council meeting Mayor Paul Finley noted the loss in sales tax revenue to be worth it, to support citizens.

“I think it is critical for folks who especially are elderly and on fixed income this is the time its needed and that is something that makes a difference.” said Mayor Finley. “I can tell you my mom is a perfect example. She didn’t have hearing aids until she was about 84, 85 but I think she just decided she was tired of losing out on the conversation and she went and got hearing aids and now she’s involved in conversations she’s never been in before.”

According to City Attorney Brian Kilgore, “The city looked at this and realized this is not going to impose any significant impact on our revenue. If it were to pass that would exempt 3.5% of the normal sales tax that you have to pay. There’s a total of 9% that people normally pay, this would eliminate 3.5% of that.”

The new hearing aid ordinance will go into effect on Oct. 1.