Taxpayers Believe Middle Income Earners Bearing Tax burden

A new survey from AP-NORC has found that, “about two-thirds of people consider their federal income tax (67%), state sales tax (62%), and local property tax (69%) to be too high.”

• According to AP: “Most believe that middle income earners have the heaviest tax burden compared with those in higher or lower income groups.”
• “Most adults say federal income tax (60%) and local property tax (59%) are unfair while about 4 in 10 say each tax is fair. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to see taxes as fair, and Republicans are more likely to say their taxes are too high.”
• The survey suggests that voters may be receptive to promises from former President Donald Trump stating that would prioritize cutting taxes for working-class families and small businesses should he win a second term in November.
• The Washington Post notes: "Jason Miller, a Trump campaign spokesman, said in an interview that the former president is focused on preserving his existing 2017 tax cut. After that, Miller said, Trump’s priority is securing additional tax cuts for “working class” Americans. Miller also said no decision had been made about whether or how much to cut the corporate tax rate."

Figure 1: Taxpayer Views on Various Taxes

Source: AP-NORC/ Harris