skip to main content

Taxes

Explore Gallup's research.

While a majority of Americans say their federal taxes are too high, these views vary significantly by partisanship and have varied widely over time.

Americans' views of national conditions remain sour, with 18% satisfied with the way things are going and the Economic Confidence Index holding at -43.

Americans say U.S. families of four need $85,000 per year to survive, up from their $58,000 estimate in 2013. Higher earners and Eastern residents estimate higher income thresholds.

U.S. stock ownership has reached 61%, a level last seen during the Great Recession.

ESG has yet to capture much of the American public's attention or divide partisans as sharply as other issues.

Americans' opinions of federal income taxes are the worst they have been in about two decades.

Americans' attitudes about their finances are just as subdued today as they were a year ago, when inflation was near its 40-year peak.

Majorities of Americans predict negative outcomes in 2023 for a host of economic, political, societal and international issues.

The majority of Americans support higher taxes on the rich, as they have for years.

Americans' satisfaction with a variety of aspects of U.S. life and public policy areas remains depressed from 2020, with many declining further since 2021.

While a majority of Americans favor increasing taxes on the rich, there is some evidence for caution.

Americans' underlying ideology appears to be a more significant factor in determining their views of taxes than the taxes they actually pay.

As Americans finish preparing their annual tax filings, how they view their taxes is largely consistent with attitudes over the past two decades. Still, Republicans show signs of concern with a Democrat in the White House.

A majority of Americans (59%) say the amount they pay in income taxes is fair, unchanged from a year ago.

Healthcare, the economy and immigration are A-list issues in the 2020 election, while other issues are broadly important but not top of mind.

Americans remain more negative than positive about the 2017 tax-cut law. Here are five reasons why.

In 1886, the U.S. government imposed a tax on butter's competitor, margarine, to support the dairy industry. By 1948, 69% favored repealing this tax.