8 August 2017

New Poll: Majority of Americans Say Taxes are Too High, Support Tax Reform

Nearly 70% of Democrats Support Bipartisanship in Congress

WASHINGTON – The American Action Network’s Middle-Class Growth Initiative (MCGI) today released results from a national survey on Americans’ views on tax reform. As Congress begins the process of revamping America’s broken tax code, the survey finds bipartisan support for a new tax system that is simple, fair and with lower rates.

“It’s clear that Americans, regardless of ideology, widely support fixing our broken tax system. Americans recognize the positive impact a tax code with lower rates would have on working families and small businesses competing with other countries like China,” said Corry Bliss, AAN Executive Director. “This new survey comes with a strong warning that Americans expect both parties to work together and would reject efforts by members of Congress to obstruct these popular proposals. AAN will continue to spend millions of dollars as it fights for a tax code that lowers rates, creates jobs and puts working families and job creators first.”

AAN’s Middle-Class Growth Initiative commissioned GS Strategy Group to conduct the national survey interviewing 1,000 registered voters on August 1-3, 2017. The margin of error is +/-3.1%.

Survey findings include:

57% of people believe the personal income tax code needs to be overhauled or changed in a major way, including 66% of Independents.
A majority of Americans believe taxes are too high: 46% of Democrats, 49% of Independents and 62% of Republicans.
Nearly 70% of Democrats want their member of Congress to work in a bipartisan manner to get things done.
A majority of Americans understand the relevance of business tax reform: 77% believe it will positively impact economic growth and jobs or their own pocketbook.
An overwhelming majority (90%) of those polled believe the personal income tax system is very complex or somewhat complex.
When you juxtapose a conservative view versus a progressive view on tax reform, 60% say a simpler, flatter and fairer tax system is more important than one that is more progressive and increases taxes on the wealthiest.
The most popular messages for tax reform: it will restore middle class earning power, eliminate loopholes and special interest tax breaks, and make the IRS more customer friendly.