Most Americans think the tax code is unfair and want it replaced altogether, a new poll finds.
The results, published ahead of the April 15 tax deadline, should encourage Congress and the White House, which are currently attempting to put together a deal to overhaul the tax code.
But, in bad news for Republicans who would like to lower tax rates, Americans’ biggest complaint about the tax code is that corporations and wealthy individuals are treated too generously, not that rates are too high.
The poll, released by the Pew Research Center Thursday afternoon, found that 59 percent of respondents agreed that “there is so much wrong with the federal tax system that Congress should completely change it.”
Over 60 percent say that they are bothered by the feeling that corporations don’t their fair share, and over 60 percent say the same thing about wealthy people.
Fewer than a third are bothered “a lot” by the amount they have to pay in taxes.
As for the burden of taxes, half of people say they pay the right amount in taxes, given what they receive from the government. Far more people (40 percent) say that they pay too much than those who say they pay too little, only 4 percent.
Republican respondents were far more likely to say that they were bothered by the amount of taxes they owe and the complexity of the tax system. They were also less likely to say the wealthy need to pony up more in taxes.
Conservative Republicans were as likely to say that they were bothered by poor people not paying their fair share as they were the rich.
The Pew poll surveyed 1,504 adults in February. The organization has found similar levels of dissatisfaction over taxes in past years.
