Signature Gathering Effort & Ballot Initiative to Repeal Idaho’s Grocery Tax — Lighten the load for Idaho families

https://repealidahogrocerytax.org/

Many Idahoans have long wanted to repeal the state’s grocery tax. In 2025, the Idaho legislature passed a bill, signed by the governor, to increase the tax credit for groceries, but it did not repeal the food tax. The passed bill was H0231. From the bill’s Statement of Purpose:

…This legislation will increase the grocery tax credit for all individuals to $155 starting in the fiscal year of 2026.

Additionally, this legislation will give Idaho income tax filers the option to take the $155 tax credit per person, or to receive a full refund of all taxes paid on groceries up to $250 per person by itemizing their grocery expenses on their annual income tax returns.

Grassroots Effort to Eliminate Sales Tax on Food

A grassroots effort seeks to use a ballot initiative to eliminate Idaho’s sales tax on food. If successful, the question of repealing the sales tax on food would be on the 2026 General Election ballot.

Key text of the initiative:

63-3622H. FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. There is hereby exempted from the taxes imposed by this chapter the sale of food sold for human consumption. The types and kinds of food products eligible for exemption by this section shall be the same types and kinds of food products that are eligible for purchase with benefits provided under the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) and do not include restaurant sales of food. As used in this section, “food” shall have the same definition as provided in 7 U.S.C. 2012 as that section existed on January 1, 2027.

Background

Idaho is one of only four states to charge sales tax on food (the tax rate is the same as all other products). The grassroots organization seeks to use a ballot Initiative to repeal the tax.

With the necessary signatures on an official petition, this matter can be put on the 2026 General Election Ballot for the citizens to decide.

How to Support the Repeal (Start by Gathering Petition Signatures)

1. Go to the Volunteer page: https://repealidahogrocerytax.org/volunteer/
2. Download the Petition Packet (two-page PDF): https://repealidahogrocerytax.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Initiative-Petition-Packet-2025.pdf
   1. Print as many copies as you need.
      Page one is the signature page (print extras!).
      Page two is the “Long Ballot Title,” which describes the initiative.
   2. Each county requires a separate signature sheet. You may collect signatures in any county.
   3. Only voters — of any recognized party — registered with the county may sign the petition.
3. Carefully follow the signature instructions on the Volunteer page.
4. Have the signature pages notarized.
   Banks and credit unions, shippers such as UPS, real estate offices, and county clerks typically offer notary services. You also can find notaries at https://www.findanotary.com/.
5. Turn in the notarized petitions at the county clerk’s office for the county listed on the form. Find your County Clerk: https://voteidaho.gov/county-clerk/
6. Clerk will review and certify each signature on the petition sheets.  Packets will be handed back to you by the Clerk’s office.
   • Petition sheet signed
   • Notary certification stamped on petition
   • Physical Impact Statement
   • Long Ballot Title
   Mail completed petitions with attachments direct to:
   Repeal Idaho Grocery Tax
   c/o Howard Rynearson
   2245 N.E. 19th Avenue
   Payette, Idaho  83661

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Learn More

Grocery Tax Initiative (one-page PDF file describes full text of the initiative): https://repealidahogrocerytax.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Grocery-Tax-Initiative.pdf

We recommend you provide copies of this information wherever you’re collecting signatures so people clearly understand what they are signing and supporting. Or, use the second page of the volunteer packet to provide similar information.

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Fiscal Impact Statement (one-page PDF file): https://repealidahogrocerytax.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/20250711-Fiscal-Impact-Statement.pdf

The initiative, starting in FY28, will reduce Idaho’s general fund revenue by exempting SNAP-eligible food sales from sales and use tax and eliminating the food tax credit, resulting in a net revenue loss of $200 million to $230 million annually. — Grok ai

Proponents believe the benefits of repealing the food sales tax outweigh the risk of the state losing hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, arguing that Idaho has a significant tax surplus and rainy day fund.

Summary (Grok ai)

Revenue Loss Calculation:

• Idaho lacks specific sales tax data on food; Utah data used as proxy.
• Utah grocery sales: 11%–13% of total sales (recently 11.25%).
• Idaho’s sales tax revenue: $3.7 billion.
• Estimated grocery tax revenue loss: $410 million–$485 million.

Food Tax Credit Elimination:

• 2025 Idaho Legislature increased Food Tax Credit to $155/individual.
• Current credit cost: $210 million–$255 million in FY28.
• Initiative eliminates this credit.

Net Impact:

• Total revenue loss: $410 million–$485 million.
• Minus eliminated credit: $210 million–$255 million.
• Net revenue impact: $200 million–$230 million loss.

Assumptions:

• Utah data applicable due to similar economics, demographics, and proximity.
• No specific Idaho food sales tax data available; retailers not required to report.

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Qualifying Signature Amounts (one-page PDF file), organized by Legislative District: https://repealidahogrocerytax.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Qualifying-Signature-Amounts.pdf

• Signature requirements vary from ~1400 – ~2600 depending on district.
• In Idaho, legislative districts often comprise multiple counties or parts of counties. Pay careful attention to the county you list on a petition form.
• The total number of signatures collected must be at least 6% of the registered voters statewide at the time of the last General Election (Nov. 2024 in this case).
• The qualifying number of signatures must be collected in at least 18 out of 35 districts. If a district fails to get the required number of signatures, all of its signatures are thrown out.
• We recommend getting MORE signatures than you need since some names may be unreadable, signers may not actually be registered in the county, addresses may be incorrect, etc.

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Questions or Want to Help? Fill out the Contact the Campaign form at the bottom of the website page, click the CONTACT button at the top, or call (208) 405-2034.