Date: 2024-10-19 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00020976 | |||||||||
Taxation | |||||||||
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Original article: https://news.gallup.com/poll/1714/taxes.aspx?akid=2508.532795.G6tImu&rd=1&t=13 Burgess COMMENTARY Peter Burgess | |||||||||
| IN DEPTH: TOPICS A TO Z Taxes Line graph. The percentage of Americans who say the amount of federal income tax they pay is 'too high' is up slightly, to 50%, in April 2021. 44% say the amount they pay is 'about right.' Do you consider the amount of federal income tax you have to pay as too high, about right or too low? Too high About right Too low No opinion % % % % 2021 Apr 1-21 50 44 4 2 2020 Apr 1-14 46 48 3 2 2019 Apr 1-9 45 48 4 4 2018 Apr 2-11 45 48 3 3 2017 Apr 5-9 51 42 4 4 2016 Apr 6-10 57 37 3 3 2015 Apr 9-12 51 42 3 4 2014 Apr 3-6 52 42 3 4 2013 Apr 4-7 50 45 2 3 2012 Apr 9-12 46 47 3 4 2011 Apr 7-11 50 43 4 3 2010 Apr 8-11 48 45 3 4 2009 Apr 6-9 46 48 3 2 2008 Apr 6-9 52 42 2 4 2007 Apr 2-5 53 41 2 3 2006 Apr 10-13 48 44 2 5 2005 Apr 4-7 51 44 2 3 2004 Apr 5-8 50 43 3 4 2003 Apr 7-9 50 46 2 2 2003 Jan 10-12 ^ 47 50 1 2 2001 Apr 6-8 65 31 1 3 2000 Apr 7-9 63 33 1 3 1999 Sep 10-14 68 28 1 3 1999 Jul 16-18 60 37 * 3 1999 Apr 6-7 65 29 2 4 1998 Apr 17-19 66 31 1 2 1997 Mar 24-26 58 38 1 3 1996 Apr 9-10 64 33 1 2 1994 Dec 16-18 66 30 1 3 1994 Apr 16-18 56 42 * 2 1993 Mar 29-31 55 41 2 2 1992 Mar 26-29 56 39 2 3 1991 Mar 28-30 55 37 2 6 1990 Mar 8-11 63 31 2 4 1985 Jun 7-10 63 32 1 4 1982 May 14-17 60 32 * 8 1973 Feb 16-19 65 28 1 6 1969 Mar 12-17 69 25 * 6 1967 Mar 9-14 58 38 1 3 1966 Feb 10-15 52 39 * 8 1964 Feb 28-Mar 5 56 35 1 9 1963 Jan 11-16 52 38 1 8 1962 Jun 28-Jul 3 63 32 1 4 1962 Feb 8-13 48 45 * 7 1961 Feb 10-15 46 45 1 8 1959 Mar 4-9 51 40 2 7 1957 Apr 6-11 61 31 * 8 1956 Feb 16-21 55 35 1 9 ^Asked of a half sample; * Less than 0.5% GALLUP Do you regard the income tax which you will have to pay this year as fair? Yes, fair No, not fair No opinion % % % 2021 Apr 1-21 55 43 2 2020 Apr 1-14 59 39 2 2019 Apr 1-9 57 39 3 2018 Apr 2-11 61 36 3 2017 Apr 5-9 61 35 4 2016 Apr 6-10 50 47 3 2015 Apr 9-12 56 40 4 2014 Apr 3-6 54 41 5 2013 Apr 4-7 55 42 3 2012 Apr 9-12 59 37 5 2011 Apr 7-11 57 40 3 2010 Apr 8-11 59 36 5 2009 Apr 6-9 61 35 4 2008 Apr 6-9 60 35 5 2007 Apr 2-5 60 37 3 2006 Apr 10-13 60 34 5 2005 Apr 4-7 61 34 5 2004 Apr 5-8 62 33 5 2003 Apr 7-9 64 33 3 2002 Apr 5-7 58 37 5 2001 Apr 6-8 51 46 3 1999 Apr 6-7 45 49 6 1997 Mar 24-26 51 43 6 1946 Nov 15-20 60 34 6 1946 Feb 28-Mar 5 62 38 - 1945 Mar 10-15 85 15 - 1944 Mar 3-8 87 13 - 1944 Feb 90 10 - 1943 Feb 25-Mar 1 85 15 - ^Asked of a half sample; * Less than 0.5% GALLUP During the next 12 months, do you think the taxes you pay will be changed so that they are higher, or lower, or won't there be any change? Higher Lower No change No opinion % % % % 2021 Apr 1-21 57 8 33 1 2013 Apr 4-7 64 3 21 2 2012 Apr 9-12 53 3 41 3 2010 Apr 8-11 63 4 30 3 1994 Dec 16-18 35 20 41 4 1978 Jun 53 11 26 10 1978 Apr 60 7 25 8 1978 Feb 62 8 23 7 1977 Dec 67 8 18 7 1977 Nov 61 6 24 9 1977 Sep 61 5 27 7 1977 Jul 56 11 26 7 1977 Jun 59 10 23 8 1977 Apr 54 10 29 7 1977 Mar 48 14 29 9 1977 Feb 42 18 30 10 1977 Jan 40 19 32 9 GALLUP Next, we'd like to know how you feel about the state of the nation in each of the following areas. For each one, please say whether you are -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. If you don't have enough information about a particular subject to rate it, just say so. How about -- the amount Americans pay in federal taxes? Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Very dissatisfied No opinion % % % % % 2021 6 30 30 31 4 2020 7 30 31 29 3 2019 7 33 31 25 4 2018 5 31 30 30 5 2017 6 33 28 30 4 2016 6 30 27 34 4 2015 7 25 32 31 5 2014 5 33 28 32 2 2013 6 30 27 33 4 2012 5 28 28 33 5 2008 5 29 32 30 4 2007 7 33 28 29 3 2006 6 32 30 31 2 2005 6 32 31 29 2 2004 4 30 34 30 2 2003 5 28 31 32 4 2002 6 32 32 28 2 2001 4 22 35 36 3 GALLUP 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? First, how about ... ? Fair share Too much Too little No opinion % % % % Lower-income people 2019 Apr 1-9 33 48 17 2 2018 Apr 2-11 32 49 16 2 2017 Apr 5-9 35 48 14 3 2016 Apr 6-10 31 46 20 3 2015 Apr 9-12 30 45 21 4 2014 Apr 3-6 33 41 23 3 2013 Apr 4-7 37 40 19 4 2012 Apr 9-12 33 40 24 3 2011 Apr 7-11 37 40 21 2 2010 Apr 8-11 35 39 22 4 2009 Apr 6-9 41 39 16 4 2008 Apr 6-9 32 51 13 4 2007 Apr 2-5 34 45 17 4 2006 Apr 10-13 36 46 12 6 2005 Apr 4-7 36 51 10 3 2004 Apr 5-8 35 49 12 4 2003 Apr 7-9 36 49 12 3 1999 Apr 6-7 34 51 11 4 1996 Apr 9-10 40 48 9 3 1994 Apr 16-18 43 42 12 3 1993 Mar 29-31 37 51 9 3 1992 Mar 26-29 32 57 8 3 Middle-income people 2019 Apr 1-9 48 43 7 2 2018 Apr 2-11 51 42 6 1 2017 Apr 5-9 40 51 6 2 2016 Apr 6-10 39 53 6 2 2015 Apr 9-12 44 46 6 3 2014 Apr 3-6 42 49 7 2 2013 Apr 4-7 53 42 3 2 2012 Apr 9-12 56 36 6 2 2011 Apr 7-11 50 44 5 1 2010 Apr 8-11 49 43 6 2 2009 Apr 6-9 50 43 5 2 2008 Apr 6-9 50 43 4 3 2007 Apr 2-5 44 47 7 2 2006 Apr 10-13 50 43 5 3 2005 Apr 4-7 52 41 4 3 2004 Apr 5-8 47 46 4 3 2003 Apr 7-9 51 40 7 2 1999 Apr 6-7 35 59 4 2 1996 Apr 9-10 34 58 5 3 1994 Apr 16-18 39 57 3 1 1993 Mar 29-31 39 54 5 2 1992 Mar 26-29 36 57 5 2 Upper-income people 2019 Apr 1-9 27 9 62 2 2018 Apr 2-11 26 10 62 2 2017 Apr 5-9 24 10 63 3 2016 Apr 6-10 21 15 61 3 2015 Apr 9-12 25 11 62 3 2014 Apr 3-6 24 13 61 2 2013 Apr 4-7 26 11 61 2 2012 Apr 9-12 25 10 62 3 2011 Apr 7-11 25 13 59 2 2010 Apr 8-11 26 15 55 4 2009 Apr 6-9 23 13 60 3 2008 Apr 6-9 24 9 63 4 2007 Apr 2-5 21 9 66 4 2006 Apr 10-13 21 8 67 4 2005 Apr 4-7 22 7 68 3 2004 Apr 5-8 24 9 63 4 2003 Apr 7-9 24 10 63 3 1999 Apr 6-7 19 10 66 5 1996 Apr 9-10 19 9 68 4 1994 Apr 16-18 20 10 68 2 1993 Mar 29-31 16 5 77 2 1992 Mar 26-29 16 4 77 3 Corporations 2019 Apr 1-9 23 6 69 2 2018 Apr 2-11 24 7 66 3 2017 Apr 5-9 19 9 67 4 2016 Apr 6-10 16 12 67 5 2015 Apr 9-12 16 9 69 6 2014 Apr 3-6 20 8 66 5 2013 Apr 4-7 21 8 66 5 2012 Apr 9-12 21 11 64 4 2011 Apr 7-11 20 9 67 4 2010 Apr 8-11 22 9 62 7 2009 Apr 6-9 18 8 67 6 2008 Apr 6-9 15 6 73 6 2007 Apr 2-5 19 5 71 5 2006 Apr 10-13 18 5 70 7 2005 Apr 4-7 21 4 69 6 2004 Apr 5-8 19 5 69 7 ^Asked of a half sample; * Less than 0.5% GALLUP Do you approve or disapprove of about the tax bill passed by Congress and signed into law by the president in December 2017? Approve Disapprove No opinion % % % 2019 Apr 1-9 40 49 11 2018 Sep 24-30 # 39 46 15 2018 Apr 2-11 # 39 52 8 2018 Feb 26-Mar 4 # 39 48 13 2018 Jan 2-7 # 33 55 12 2017 Dec 1-2 ^ 29 56 16 # WORDING: Do you approve or disapprove of the tax bill passed by Congress and signed into law by the president last December? ^ WORDING: From what you've heard or read about them, would you say you approve or disapprove of these proposed changes to the tax code (for individuals and businesses)? GALLUP Have the new tax laws caused your federal income taxes to go up, go down, stay the same or are you unsure? Go up Go down Stay the same Unsure No answer % % % % % 2019 Apr 1-9 21 14 21 43 2 2018 Apr 2-11 9 18 17 55 1 GALLUP Has the tax cut law helped or not helped your family's financial situation? (If 'helped,' probe:) Has it helped a lot, or a little? Helped a lot Helped a little Not helped No opinion % % % % 2018 Sep 24-30 12 26 51 10 GALLUP Have you seen an increase in your take-home pay because less federal income tax is being taken out of your pay? Yes No No opinion % % % 2018 Sep 24-30 31 64 6 2018 Feb 26-Mar 4 ^ 32 64 4 ^ WORDING: Have you recently seen an increase in your take-home pay because less federal income tax is being taken out of your pay? GALLUP Do you think the proposed tax cuts would -- or would not -- help your family's financial situation? Yes, would No, would not No opinion % % % Trump tax cuts 2017 Dec 1-2 34 57 8 Bush tax cuts 2003 Jun 27-29 ^ 34 56 10 2003 May 30-Jun 1 ^ 35 56 9 ^ WORDING: Do you think the new tax cut law will -- or will not -- help your family's financial situation? GALLUP Do you think the proposed tax cuts would -- or would not -- help the U.S. economy? Yes, would No, would not No opinion % % % Trump tax cuts 2017 Dec 1-2 39 53 8 Bush tax cuts 2003 May 30-Jun 1 ^ 47 47 6 ^ WORDING: Do you think the new tax cut law will - or will not - help the U.S. economy? GALLUP Which comes closer to your view about the long-term impact the proposed tax cuts would have on the federal budget deficit -- [ROTATED: the tax cuts would increase the deficit in the long run because the government would take in a lot less money that it won't be able to recover, (or) the tax cuts would decrease the deficit in the long run because they would stimulate the economy and bring in more money for the government]? Increase deficit Reduce deficit No opinion % % % Trump tax cuts 2017 Dec 1-2 52 38 10 Bush tax cuts 2003 Jul 18-20 46 48 6 GALLUP Do you feel that the distribution of money and wealth in this country today is fair, or do you feel that the money and wealth in this country should be more evenly distributed among a larger percentage of the people? Distribution is fair Should be more even No opinion % % % 2016 Apr 6-10 34 59 7 2015 Apr 9-12 31 63 6 2013 Apr 4-7 33 59 7 2011 Nov 28-Dec 1 35 61 4 2011 Apr 7-11 35 57 8 2009 Mar 27-29 35 59 6 2008 Oct 23-26 37 58 5 2008 Apr 6-9 27 68 5 2007 Apr 2-5 29 66 5 2003 Jan 10-12 31 63 6 2000 Sep 11-13 38 56 6 1998 Apr 23-May 31 31 63 6 1996 Apr 25-28 33 62 5 1990 May 17-20 28 66 6 1984 Dec 7-10 31 60 9 GALLUP People feel differently about how far a government should go. Here is a phrase which some people believe in and some don't. Do you think our government should or should not redistribute wealth by heavy taxes on the rich? Yes, should No, should not No opinion % % % 2016 Apr 6-10 52 46 2 2015 Apr 9-12 52 45 2 2013 Apr 4-7 52 45 3 2011 Apr 7-11 47 49 4 2009 Mar 27-29 50 46 4 2008 Oct 23-26 46 50 4 2008 Apr 6-9 51 43 5 2007 Apr 2-5 49 47 4 1998 Apr 23-May 31 45 51 4 1939 Mar ^ 35 54 11 ^ Roper/Fortune Magazine poll GALLUP Would you rather have more government services if that meant more taxes, less government services in order to reduce taxes, or services and taxes about as we have them now? More services, More taxes Less services, Reduce taxes Services and taxes as now No opinion % % % % 2013 Sep 5-8 ˆ 20 47 29 4 2011 Sep 8-11 16 56 26 3 1993 Mar 22-24 20 40 35 4 ^ Asked of a half sample GALLUP Would you favor or oppose Congress passing a new law that would require households earning $1 million a year or more to pay a minimum of 30% of their income in taxes? Favor Oppose No opinion % % % 2012 Apr 9-12 60 37 3 GALLUP If you had to choose, which of these do you think would be the best approach for Congress and the president to take in dealing with the U.S. economy -- [RANDOM ORDER: increasing government stimulus spending, cutting taxes, reducing the federal budget deficit and national debt, (or) increasing taxes on the wealthy]? Reducing deficit Increasing taxes on wealthy Cutting taxes Increasing stimulus spending No opinion % % % % % 2010 Nov 19-21 39 31 23 5 2 GALLUP As you may know, the federal income tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush will expire at the end of this year unless Congress votes to keep them in place. Should Congress -- [ROTATED: vote to keep the tax cuts in place for all taxpayers, vote to keep the tax cuts in place for those making less than $250,000 but end the tax cuts for those making $250,000 or more, (or should Congress) do nothing and allow the tax cuts to expire for all taxpayers]? Keep for all taxpayers Keep for those making less than $250,000 Allow to expire for all taxpayers No opinion % % % % 2010 Aug 27-30 37 44 15 4 GALLUP As you may know, as part of the recently passed economic stimulus legislation, beginning in May most Americans will receive a tax rebate check of between $300 and $600 per individual taxpayer from the federal government. If you receive a tax rebate, what will you do with that money -- [ROTATED: spend it, save or invest it, pay off bills (or) donate it to charity]? Pay off bills Save or invest Spend Donate No opinion % % % % % 2008 Apr 6-9 41 29 24 1 4 GALLUP Which would you prefer to happen when you file your annual income taxes with the IRS each year -- [ROTATED: get a refund because you paid more in taxes than you owed during the year (or) basically break even because you paid about what you owed in taxes during the year]? Get a refund Break even Does not apply (vol.) No opinion % % % % 2007 Mar 2-4 45 50 3 2 * Less than 0.5%; (vol.)=volunteered response GALLUP What are some of the reasons why you prefer to receive a tax refund rather than breaking even? (OPEN-ENDED) Based on those who prefer to get a tax refund 2007 Mar 2-4 % It's like getting a bonus/reward/nice to get extra money 39 Forced savings/not good at saving otherwise 17 To be safe/conservative/don't want to have to owe 11 Believe taxes are too high 11 Helps with paying the bills 5 Use to pay state/local taxes 4 Use it to buy something wouldn't otherwise/Use for special purchase 3 Use it on a vacation 1 Other 11 No reason in particular 4 No opinion 3 Percentages add to more than 100% due to multiple responses. GALLUP Now thinking more generally, what have you been most likely to do with tax refund money you have received in the past -- put it in a savings account or invest it, use it to pay a major bill, spend it on a vacation, spend it on some other major purchase or did you not do anything special with it? 2007 Mar 2-4 % Put it in a savings account or invest it 24 Use it to pay a major bill 38 Spend it on a vacation 5 Spend it on some other major purchase 7 Not do anything special with it 20 Doesn't apply/don't file (vol.) 4 No opinion 2 (vol.)=volunteered response GALLUP Which do you think is the worst tax -- that is the least fair -- federal income tax, federal Social Security tax, state income tax, state sales tax or local property tax? Federal income Federal Social Security State income State sales Local property No opinion % % % % % % 2005 Apr 4-7 ^ 20 10 7 17 42 4 2003 Apr 7-9 21 11 11 13 38 6 1994 Jun 17-Jul 6 27 13 7 14 28 11 1992 Jun 23-28 25 10 9 16 25 15 1990 May 4-22 26 15 10 12 28 9 1989 Jun 9-22 21 18 9 14 28 10 1988 Jun 11-19 26 17 9 15 24 9 ^ Asked of a half sample GALLUP Do you believe it is becoming -- [ROTATED: easier for someone to cheat on their income taxes, has there been no change or is it becoming harder for someone to cheat on their income taxes]? Easier No change Harder No opinion % % % % 2005 Apr 4-7 21 35 30 14 GALLUP Now we have a question about your 2005 income tax filing with the IRS, for what you earned in 2004. Are you planning to, or did you already, send your tax return to the IRS by mail, or electronically by computer? Mail Electronically Unsure (vol.) Not filing (vol.) No opinion % % % % % % % % % % 2005 Apr 4-7 43 44 10 2 1 2003 Apr 7-9 52 34 3 11 * 2001 Apr 6-8 62 28 2 7 1 1999 Apr 6-7 66 20 4 9 1 1997 Mar 24-26 77 15 2 6 * * Less than 0.5%; (vol.)=volunteered response GALLUP As you may know, the federal income tax cuts passed into law since George W. Bush became president are set to expire within the next several years. Would you favor or oppose making those tax cuts permanent? Favor Oppose No opinion % % % 2004 Dec 17-19 ^ 52 40 8 2002 Nov 8-10 64 29 7 ^ Asked of a half sample GALLUP Which of the following statements best represents what you feel about the federal income tax system -- [ROTATED: it needs to be completely overhauled, it needs major changes, it needs minor changes (or) it is basically fine the way it is]? 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