WASHINGTON — A new Gallup poll shows that a majority of Americans continue to believe they are paying too much in taxes, with public frustration holding steady in recent years despite policy changes in Washington.
According to the survey, 59% of Americans say their taxes are too high, a figure that has remained largely unchanged since 2023.
Another 37% of respondents said their taxes are “about right,” while just 3% believe they are too low.
Discontent Near Long-Term Highs
Gallup noted that dissatisfaction with taxes has hovered near 60% for the past several years — levels considered elevated compared to the early 2000s, when tax cut legislation drove that number lower.
However, current sentiment remains below historical peaks seen from the 1970s through the 1990s, when larger majorities consistently said taxes were too high.
Perceptions of Fairness Also Low
Views on whether taxes are fair also remain weak.
Just 47% of Americans say the income taxes they pay are fair, while roughly half say they are not — numbers near some of the lowest levels Gallup has recorded.
Little Difference Across Income Levels
The poll found that frustration with taxes cuts across income brackets. Roughly six in 10 Americans in lower-, middle-, and upper-income households all say their taxes are too high.
Partisan differences exist but are narrower than in recent years.
According to the crosstabs, majorities of independents (64%) and Republicans (60%), along with nearly half of Democrats (49%), say their taxes are too high.
Economic Pressures May Be Driving Sentiment
Analysts say broader economic conditions — including inflation and rising living costs — may be shaping public perception more than changes in tax policy alone.
Despite recent tax adjustments and extensions of prior cuts, Gallup found no significant improvement in how Americans view their tax burden.
Bottom Line
The findings suggest a persistent disconnect between tax policy changes and public sentiment, with most Americans continuing to feel financially strained — and unconvinced that their tax burden is fair.
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30 or so years ago we used to joke about Canada’s taxes being RIDICULOUSLY high at roughly 40-45%. We have arrived, and in some ways surpassed that threshold based solely on PENALIZING/TAXING ability not FAIRNESS!
Greed being the main factor! Of a government ran by power mongers who can arbitrarily vote for wage increases for themselves, and create programs to go nowhere for their crony friends! While they kick the can down the road to the poor schmucks paying for it all, who have ZERO say where their money goes! The poll should be at 90%+ for being overtaxed IMO!
Look at the title of this article!
TAXES ARE WAY TOO HIGH!
We’d be much less upset about taxes if the money was going to worthwhile causes.
But the spending on lib causes, money going overseas to people who hate us, waste, and etc., is our MAIN gripe!
Trump is trying to do something about that, but he’s getting so much backlash from libs that I have to wonder if he can go far enough!
We left England because of taxes ( 1776 ). People in the capitals should consider that.
I don’t, in any way, defend any kind of violence that could come from this situation … but I wouldn’t condemn it either if the ‘other side’ starts the violence.
Defense only … NEVER start offence!
But if started by the ‘other side’, it then becomes necessary to do whatever is morally correct to do!
It is very highly unlikely that it will come to that ( I certainly hope ), but being prepared is still necessary.