In an important new book, Brookings' Vanessa Williamson shows that most Americans regard paying taxes as a civic duty and are offended when they regard others as not doing their part. As lawmakers and the Trump administration begin their push for tax reform, they should pay attention to fresh survey evidence that supports Williamson's thesis.
A Gallup survey released on April 13 finds that 61 percent of Americans see their own federal income tax obligation as fair, including 69 percent of Democrats, 60 percent of Independents, and 56 percent of Republicans. According to an April 14 report from the Pew Research Center, only 27 percent of Americans are bothered “a lot” by the amount they themselves pay in federal income taxes. Only 35 percent of Republicans, often regarded as allergic to taxes, say they are more than minimally bothered by the taxes they pay. Fifty-four percent of Americans say they pay “about the right amount” in taxes; 49 percent of Republicans agree.
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