From Gallup, these numbers probably make the strongest case and they are consistent with the trends in recent years. (April 6-10, 2016; Q26)
As I read off some different groups, please tell me if you think they are paying their FAIR share in federal taxes, paying too MUCH or paying too LITTLE?
Fair Share | Too Much | Too Little | No Opinion | |
Upper-Income People | 21 | 15 | 61 | 3 |
Fair Share | Too Much | Too Little | No Opinion | |
Corporations | 16 | 12 | 67 | 5 |
Those attitudes mirror what The Pew Research Center found last year (February 18-22, 2015)
Please tell me how much, if at all, each of the following bothers you about the federal tax system. Does this bother you a lot, some, not too much, or not at all?
A lot | Some | Not too much | Not at all | Don’t Know/ Refused | |
The amount you pay in taxes | 27 | 26 | 27 | 19 | 2 |
The complexity of the tax system | 44 | 28 | 17 | 8 | 3 |
The feeling that some wealthy people don’t pay their fair share | 61 | 18 | 10 | 10 | 2 |
The feeling that some poor people don’t pay their fair share | 20 | 22 | 22 | 34 | 2 |
The feeling that corporations don’t pay their fair share | 64 | 18 | 9 | 8 | 1 |
From Morning Consult’s online survey of 1,976 registered voters from April 29 – May 2, 2016, more than 3 out of 4 support increasing taxes on the wealthy.
What is your position on increasing taxes on wealthy Americans?
5/2/2016 4/17/2016 4/11/2016 4/3/2016 3/13/2016
Strongly Support | 50 | 47 | 47 | 42 | 44 |
Somewhat Support | 24 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 27 |
Somewhat Oppose | 10 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 13 |
Strongly Oppose | 12 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 |
Don’t Know/No Opinion | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
From Gallup, Not only are the results to this question on income inequality surprisingly strong, they are very consistent over time. It’s worth using it. (April 6-10, 2016; Q34)
And for the past three years, a majority of Americans said taxes on the rich are a solution for income inequality. (April 6-10, 2016; Q35)
From Gallup, these results show the plurality of Americans thinks the taxes they pay is fair, but the trend over time is very bad for us. Because of the trend line and the very slight advantage, I don’t recommend using this question. (April 6-10, 2016; Q. 25)
The numbers were very similar from the Pew Research Center. (Sept. 16-Oct.4, 2015; Q B72)
Considering what you get from the federal government, do you think you pay more than your fair share of taxes, less than your fair share, or the right amount?
More than Fair Share | Less Than Fair Share | About the Right Amount | Don’t Know/ Refused | |
Sept 16 – Oct 4, 2015 | 40 | 4 | 54 | 2 |
Feb 18-22, 2015 | 40 | 4 | 53 | 2 |
Dec 7-11, 2011 | 38 | 5 | 52 | 5 |
From The Pew Research Center poll of August 27-September 13, 2015; Q43
Would you say the government is pretty much run by a few big interests looking out for themselves or that it is run for the benefit of all the people?
Few Big Interests | 76 |
Benefit of All | 19 |
Don’t know/Refused | 4 |