US Citizens More Relaxed on Tax

If death and taxes are the only two certain things in life, it must be significant that Americans are feeling less worried about the latter. A poll by Harris Interactive shows that only 52%, comfortably the lowest percentage since the question was first asked in 1970, believe themselves to have 'reached the breaking point on the amount of taxes they pay'.

Arguably, seeing more than half of a population agreeing with a strong statement like this is still alarming, but a quick comparison shows that between 1970 and 1993, the proportion varied between a high of 67% and a low of 58%, so in relative terms the figure is very low. The question has been put sporadically, in 1970, 1971, 1977, 1978 and 1993, but as the last of these gave the 67% figure, there was previously no downward trend and the result is perhaps unexpected.

Answers are remarkably consistent regardless of income or political loyalty. Fifty-three percent (53%) of people with incomes less than $15,000 feel they have reached breaking point (presumably due to sales and other taxes as they will pay little income tax), compared to 51% of those with incomes of over $75,000. Given their special aversion to high taxes ('Read my lips' and all that) it's predictable that Republicans (55%) are slightly more likely than Democrats (50%) to feel they have reached breaking point on taxes, but the difference is small.

A slightly higher percentage say they have reached the breaking point on their state or property taxes than say the same about federal taxes (56% vs 51%) indicating perhaps a greater degree of hostility in principle to these charges.

Harris Interactive did not define what 'reaching the breaking point' means, so the results are an indication of feelings rather than anything more exact. People have more disposable income and higher standards of living now than in the early 70s, 80s or 90s, and although most Americans still think they are overtaxed, the burden is not felt to be as heavy as it was. The message for politicians is that tax cuts are still likely to be popular, but the slight relaxation of attitudes suggests that voters will give more weight to other issues.

The Harris Poll(r) was conducted by telephone within the United States between June 10 and 15, 2003 among a nationwide cross section of 1,011 adults (ages 18+).

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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