Solid majority believe what they pay is fair, although low-income Americans are less satisfied

PRINCETON, NJ -- As tax filing day looms, Americans fall into two closely matched camps: those who believe the amount they pay in federal income tax is too high (46%) and those who consider it "about right" (47%). Just 3% consider their taxes too low.





Americans' perceptions about their taxes were much more negative in 2000 and 2001, but that was prior to the implementation of former President George W. Bush's first round of federal tax cuts. Since those tax cuts took effect, Americans have been more content with what they pay, although this year's results are among the most positive.

Separately, Gallup asks Americans to say whether they consider what they pay in income taxes to be fair, and, consistent with recent years, close to six in 10 call their taxes fair. Public acceptance of one's tax burden as fair also increased significantly after Bush's tax cuts took effect, peaking at 64% in 2003 just after the United States had launched the Iraq war.





This year's findings come from Gallup's annual Economy and Personal Finance poll, conducted April 9-12.

Low-Income Adults Find Taxes Most Onerous, Least Fair

Low-income adults appear to be the least satisfied with what they pay in taxes, as 50% say their taxes are too high; 44% say they are about right or too low. By contrast, Americans earning $75,000 or more are almost evenly divided about their tax bill, and middle-income earners tilt toward being satisfied, with 54% saying their taxes are either about right or too low.

Gallup finds sharper differences by party ID, with the major distinction being between Democrats -- the majority of whom are satisfied with what they pay, or who think they should pay more -- and Republicans and independents, the slight majority of whom think their taxes are too high.

Lower-income Americans grew significantly more discontent with the amount they pay in taxes between 2009 and 2011, and maintain that higher level of unhappiness in this year's survey.

Similarly, since 2009, lower-income Americans have become increasingly likely to say their income taxes are "not fair," rising from 29% in April 2009 to 38% today.

Bottom Line

Few Americans are eager to pay more in federal taxes, but the majority are at least content that what they pay is fair, and close to half consider their tax obligation about right. Less than half express more negative views, including 37% who say the amount they pay is unfair and 46% who say it is too high.

Perhaps because of the slow economy, or because of recent discussion of the "Buffett Rule" and President Barack Obama's related interest in shifting a greater proportion the nation's tax bill to high-income Americans, low-income Americans have grown increasingly discontent since 2009 with the amount and fairness of their own taxes. However, there has been no comparable shift in middle- and upper-income Americans' views.