Report Taxes

American Attitudes and Support for Tax Reform

June 12, 2015 1 min read Download Report

Authors: Mark Schreiber and Elizabeth Fender

Americans Are Hungry for a Plan to Update the Tax System

Put most simply, they are looking for a plan that treats everyone equally, creating opportunity for all and favoritism to none. Registered voters clearly indicate an interest in tax reform (52% support). Additional information and messaging significantly increases the demand for it. Seventy-one percent (71%) of all Americans agreed that “federal tax policies and the tax system in America … needs major changes and reform.” Only 5% believe the system is working just fine.

Current System Seen as Overly Complex, Unfair, and Corrupt

What is abundantly clear from the American Perception Initiative’s recent research is that voters see the current system as overly complex, unfair, and corrupt. Highlighting the top concerns and problems with the current system stirs the demand for change.

Complex—86%

Too hard to understand
More difficult and expensive than it needs to be

Unfair—89%

Too many getting away with not paying fair share
Too many loopholes

Corrupt—87%

System encourages cronyism and favoritism
Government picking winners and losers and playing favorites
Gives the BIGS (Washington politicians and special interests) too much influence and too many advantages

Accurate Information Changes Voters’ Views

Based on a gross misunderstanding of who pays how much of the nation’s taxes, most Americans initially believe the wealthy are not paying enough. However, providing voters with accurate information about the amount of federal income taxes paid by the wealthiest 10% of Americans radically changes voters’ demand that they pay more.

Language of Tax Reform

The language of tax reform covers a range of issues, groups, and concepts, each with a differing reaction among the voting public. “Tax reform” itself elicits a tepid and jaded response from the voting public (52% positive). Slightly better is the phrase “modernizing the tax system” (58%). Yet, “updating the tax system” (62%) is clearly the superior way to refer to changing the way the federal government collects revenue.

A conservative approach to tax policy that emphasizes these points while articulating a concern for those in society we all care about effectively stimulates interest and demand for conservative policy solutions.