Statewide poll shows majority of South Dakotans support eliminating state sales tax on groceries

December 18, 2023

PIERRE, S.D.–A year after Gov. Kristi Noem vowed to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries, and several months after lawmakers failed to deliver on her promise, a strong majority of South Dakota voters still supports dropping the sales tax on food.

A new statewide poll co-sponsored by South Dakota News Watch showed that 60.6% of registered voters support a proposed statewide ballot measure that would eliminate the 4.2% state sales tax on groceries.

South Dakota is one of 13 states that levies a sales tax on groceries. And it’s one of two states that tax food at the full state sales tax rate without any offsetting tax credits.

People who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, are exempt from the sales tax on food.