October 12, 2011 12:16 PM

Polls show longtime support for tax hikes on rich

By
Sarah Dutton
Topics
Economy ,
Polling

The latest CBS News poll shows a two-thirds majority of Americans support raising the taxes of households with incomes of $1,000,000 or more - which President Obama and some Democrats in Congress have proposed. Support for the "millionaire's tax" rises as high as 83 percent among Democrats, and while 54 percent of Republicans oppose it, four in ten think tax increases for these upper income households are a good idea.

(Credit: CBS)

Even more affluent Americans support raising taxes for millionaires: 60 percent of those with incomes of $100,000 or more think that should be done.

At the same time, just 25 percent of Americans overall think doing so will lead to more jobs, which has been a priority for the public for many months.

Whether the goal is to reduce the federal budget deficit, provide health insurance for those without, or even for no specific reason, there is a history of support in public opinion polls for higher taxes for the most affluent Americans.

In general, polls have shown that many Americans think the rich just don't pay their fair share in taxes. A CBS News/New York Times Poll conducted in 1985 found 69 percent felt that "people who have more money than you" were paying too little in taxes - while they themselves were paying their fair share (51 percent) or even too much (45 percent).

Three years later, 63 percent said they thought federal income tax rates should be increased for people whose income was $100,000 or more (27 percent said tax rates should not be raised).

Most also have supported tax increases for the wealthy when told that the money raised would pay for specific policies. More recently, in 2008, 62 percent said they supported tax increases for those making $250,000 a year in order to provide health insurance to those without it (33 percent said it was a bad idea).

Search the CBS News poll database

In a 2009 CBS News/New York Times poll in which tax increases for wealthier households were proposed in order to improve access to health care and provide tax cuts for those with lower incomes, 74 percent supported the idea (23 percent did not).

More recently, majorities have said that taxes for households with incomes of $250,000 or more should be raised in order to lower the nation's budget deficit.

And in early 2008, before the economy went into recession, 58 percent thought it was a good idea to raise taxes for the wealthy in order to pay for "new government programs and tax cuts for those making less money."

When it comes to taxes, the public may be more reluctant to repeal something that already exists. When asked a year ago, in a very differently-worded question, whether the 2001 tax cuts signed into law by President George W. Bush should be allowed to expire for households earning $250,000 or more, a November CBS News Poll found nearly half, 49 percent, thought that was a good idea -- but nearly as many, 44 percent, thought it was a bad idea.


Add a Comment See all 67 Comments
by Kenny777_y October 21, 2011 9:09 AM EDT
40% of republicans think a tax increase would help to lower the deficit that cant be right.
Reply to this comment
by A_Canadian_Opinion October 21, 2011 3:47 AM EDT
The debt crisis gets worse every day that the government operates. Further taxation of the rich must be part of the solution. The crisis is so massive that it will need a multi-pronged approach to solve it. Anyone that thinks the crisis can be solved by spending cuts alone does not realize the severity of the situation.
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by Suezekay October 19, 2011 1:10 PM EDT
I live Cain and Bachman and Newt. but Gingrich is an old party animal, very savy, but as long as he has been in Congress his presence has not really contributed to solutions of the problems discussed today. Michele is a tax attorney so I have to bow to her on her knowledge of the tax system vs. Cain's. but now I see why people like Herman Cain. He is not one of the party animals; he seems like a business man that is a real person, used to operating in the real world and more in touch with the reality of life for the average American. I know he's rich but it's how you use our wealth, not merely the fact that you have advanced yourself to the point where you have money. The rest are neat packages in suits manufactured by handlers and my instincts tell me that they are not real and honest and true; just ambitious. I voted for Obama because I agreed with his goals but now I see that they cannot be accomplished in office. He needs to go back to the outside and use people power to change things. The Congress continues to be frozen in time; back when poitical parties ruled the cities and votes were bought. They have their own world and believe me it has little to do with me. If you can find out, just as an aside, I'll bet H&R Block is lobbying bigtime against Bachman. They are going down if she has her way. So be wary of any criticism that seem to be objective on abolition of the tax code.
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by theQ54 October 15, 2011 2:24 PM EDT
Now lets say the real mentallity...sure thats right...the majority do...whats also correct is 99% of these people have no idea what these corporations/individuals actually pay...even the basic corporate tax or bussiness structure info and just jump on the hate the rich bandwagon because democrats have brainwashed them into thinking that rich people are the cause of all the problems and somehow they owe them something.
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by letsexploreit October 13, 2011 9:41 PM EDT
As I was flipping through the channels Thursday evening, I saw Howard Dean on the Kudlow Report (a show I really never watch). The republican congressman who I didn't recognize was talking about Warren Buffet's tax return. Anyway, he seemed distraught that Buffet actually called their bluff and showed the amount of tax he paid in 2010. Let's be clear Warren Buffet is rich and if he can do it all rich people will do it. Of course, this republican had nothing good to say about Buffet and started saying the same tired republican talking points that they all use. You all have heard them. Raising taxes on the job creators, on the rich would not be the right thing to do. It wouldn't raise enough money and that the American People wanted to flatten the tax base. He also said what hate radio has been saying for some time, that 50% of all Americans don't even pay taxes. They say this to somehow make a point that the rich shouldn't pay either. Let's explore it. Are these talking points, 50% of Americans don't pay taxes, said to denigrate the poor and middleclass. It's like they are somehow less important, less credible, and less patriotic. Let's face it, living the Washington life style is not the norm for most Americans. This is a world of lobbyists, parties, rubbing shoulders with millionaires and billionaires, and being wooed by them at every turn for your vote. I believe this is one of the reasons why representatives lose touch or become less sensitive to the hard times their constituents are going through. I said all that too say this. It is shameful in a country as powerful as the U.S.A., the leader of the free world, that 50% of its population is not paid enough money to pay taxes. Many of them have to work two jobs to make ends meet. I am sure all 50% would like to have a good paying job that would raise their status to taxpayer. By the way where are the jobs, promised by the Bush administration if we gave tax breaks to small business, big business and the wealthy? It's been ten years now. Anyway, the next time Hate Radio and The Republican Party bring it to the attention of the world that 50% of Americans are too poor to pay taxes, do so with a little humility. It makes our country look a little weaker and more vulnerable. Believe me this shows just how much you have failed the American people. And it is shameful.
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by RobAla October 12, 2011 7:50 PM EDT
Duhhh.... do you think it is because the vast majority of the American population does not fall in the category of being "rich"? People are all about taxing someone else. Of course we have a few, like Buffet, that claim they want to pay more in taxes. However, they are not sending in that extra check voluntarily. Nothing is holding them back from sending that extra money in.

Of course people are saying that they want others to pay more in taxes - they are thinking they might get a cut out of it. It is based on simple greed.
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by endrepubs October 12, 2011 5:59 PM EDT
If the rich know what's good for them, they will agree to pay more. I don't think anyone wants to see income gap continue growing to the point where there is a revolution. The income divide is pretty bad right now and has been getting worse, mainly due to very favorable tax rates since Reagan's time.. Does America really want to see a violent revolution because the income divide has gotten so out of whack.
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by bmallen3 October 12, 2011 5:42 PM EDT
This poll shows just how easy it is for 95% of the population to vote to raise taxes on the 5%. Why not, even if it is a drop in the bucket of these deficits and is symbolic, since it doesn't effect me, why not stick it to somebody else. After all, the top 1% only pays 37% of all the federal income taxes now. Wonder what happens if we take all their money and then we have to pay the 37%?
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by forsanity1 October 12, 2011 7:08 PM EDT
If 95% of the population votes on something, it is then called the law of the land.

If you have a problem with that, I guess you need to take it up with our Constitution.

Anyway, how idiotic to think anyone is trying to "take all their money"..... since when is 39.4 and 100 the same thing? The current 35 and 100 are not the same... add a tiny percentage and it grows in some weird hyperbolic world where you reside...?
by tsigili October 12, 2011 5:41 PM EDT
Look at it this way.......if only 10% of the population is wealthy, and the other 90% can be convinced the wealthy should pay all of the taxes to run the country, they would vote for that.

On the other hand, it would be dishonest, pathetic, and unfair.

There should be no American......not one.....that pays zero income tax. Every citizen should be obligated to pay at least, a minimum tax, no matter how poor they are. That is the obligation, of every citizen.
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by forsanity1 October 12, 2011 7:11 PM EDT
Sorry, it doesn't work that way in a consumer driven economy. The poorest people need their income to exist and in that create demand in the entire economic paradigm. Why do you want them to give money to the government instead of the grocery store?

I love how you right wingers really, really want to raise taxes, you just can't stand the thought of having it done fairly -- which means something different that "the same percentage for all".
by starving1968-3 October 12, 2011 5:24 PM EDT
by bmallen3 October 12, 2011 5:20 PM EDT
15% of what? 15% is the minimum long term capital gains tax. Most everybody now loses all deductions to the AMT. Do not confuse tax on earned income with tax on long term capital gain.







I'm not confused.

Capital gains is how the wealthy EARN their money, so it SHOULD BE taxed as earned income, NOT capital gains.

Welcome to the conversation.
Reply to this comment
by bmallen3 October 12, 2011 5:32 PM EDT
Why? You have to take risk, then wait at least a year and hope you make money. If you lose money, the deduction is limited to $3,000/yr which means you eat the rest.
by forsanity1 October 12, 2011 7:14 PM EDT
Wrong George.

A person earns $1000 and is taxed on that income.

Then they take $100 from what they have left and invest it... the investment turns that $100 into $120, then they $20 is taxed as a capital gain.

It is new money being taxed when capital gains taxation kicks in.

You are the one who is confused.
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