Bill would make prescription glasses tax-exempt

Idaho lawmakers are considering a proposal that would make prescription eyeglasses tax-exempt. There are already similar exemptions for hearing aids, crutches and other “durable medical equipment.”

“There are lots of aids and appliances available for blind people, but they’re all extremely expensive,” said Elsie Dickerson, who’s been partially blind all of her life.

Anderson said her husband recently bought a pair of monocular glasses for $12,000 and had to pay a sales tax.

“Glasses or magnifiers or closed-circuit televisions or anything like that, we have to pay sales tax,” said Anderson.

But House Bill 75 would make prescription glasses tax-exempt. It’s being pushed by many of the state’s optometrists.

“We’re probably one of five … states in the nation that charge a sales tax on frames and lenses,” said Dr. Randy Andregg, executive director of Idaho Optometric Physicians.

“It’s the only durable medical good that’s excluded in the state of Idaho,” said Andregg.

The bill has already passed committee and now heads to the full house for a vote. You can read it here.