Polls Show that Voters Overwhelmingly Support ‘Tax Fairness’ Agenda
WASHINGTON – This week, as the House and Senate majorities release their budgets aimed at cutting taxes for corporations and the wealthy at the expense of working Americans, Americans for Tax Fairness has issued a comprehensive collection of national polling data proving that conservative tax policies run counter to what the public wants.
“The tax and budget plans being pushed by conservatives in Congress would cut taxes deeply for corporations and the rich, while slashing funding for nearly every service that the government provides,” said Frank Clemente, executive director of Americans for Tax Fairness.
“There is a better way to manage our budget and pay for the services and investments we need: make corporations and the rich pay their fair share of taxes. According to our new compilation of public polling data, this approach is overwhelmingly popular with the public across the political spectrum.”
“We need a budget that works for all of us and not just the wealthy few and big corporations that are making record profits. It’s what the American people want, and it’s time that our leaders listened.”
Popular “tax fairness” reforms presented in the polling collection include closing numerous tax loopholes that benefit corporations and the wealthy, ending tax breaks for American companies that ship jobs and profits offshore, stopping corporate inversions that allow companies to avoid taxes, and taxing investment income at the same rate as wages and salaries. Of particular interest is the section on the views of American small business owners, who generally feel that the system is rigged in favor of large corporations that pay less than their fair share.
Several of the poll questions are directly relevant to the big budget choices now before Congress, such as:
2014 Election Day voters when asked: “Which one of the following do you think should be the higher priority for the president and Congress right now – (A) reducing taxes on businesses and individuals or (B) investing in key priorities like education, healthcare, and job creation?” chose “investing in key priorities” (67%) over “reducing taxes” (29%).
Hart Research Assoc. poll for the AFL-CIO, November 2014, Q14
By 62% to 32%, 2014 Election Day voters favor “raising taxes on the wealthy and large corporations to fund priorities like education, job training, and deficit reduction.”
Hart Research Assoc. poll for the AFL-CIO, November 2014, Q17
By 54% to 35%, when asked what would do more to reduce poverty, respondents favored “raising taxes on wealthy people and corporations to expand programs for the poor” instead of “lowering taxes on wealthy people and corporations to encourage investment and economic growth.”
Pew Research Center, January 2014, Q26
By 68% to 31% voters believe “we should close tax loopholes for large corporations that ship jobs offshore, and instead use that money to invest in jobs in America by improving our roads and bridges and rebuilding manufacturing.”
Hart Research Assoc. poll for Americans for Tax Fairness, October 2013, Q16a/b
To read the comprehensive “Polling on Tax Fairness Issues” collection, click here.
Americans for Tax Fairness is a diverse coalition of 425 national and state organizations that collectively represent tens of millions of members. The organization was formed on the belief that the country needs comprehensive, progressive tax reform that results in greater revenue to meet our growing needs. ATF is playing a central role in Washington and in the states on federal tax-reform issues.
PRESS CONTACT
TJ Helmstetter, Communications Director, Americans for Tax Fairness
thelmstetter@americansfortaxfairness.org
(202) 506-3264