Two-Thirds Of Americans Believe They Pay Too Much In Taxes

A majority of U.S. taxpayers believe they pay too much in taxes, with many feeling they receive a poor value in return, according to a new poll

A majority of U.S. taxpayers believe they pay too much in taxes, with many feeling they receive a poor value in return, according to a new University of Chicago Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll.

The Associated Press reported about 7 in 10 say they pay too much in local property taxes, while 6 in 10 feel the same in state sales tax. The AP and University of Chicago’s poll of 1,024 adults was conducted Dec. 14-18, 2023.

When it comes to party affiliation, Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say taxes are unfair and see taxes as poor value. Adults 60 and older are more likely than younger adults to view taxes positively.

Additionally, the poll showed that many U.S. adults have a low level of confidence that their tax dollars, whether it’s the federal government or local school districts, are not being used in the best interest of “people like them.”

The poll also indicated that people are more trustworthy of governing bodies closer to home. According to the poll, 16% of respondents are extremely or very confident in their local school district, while 6% of respondents are confident in the federal government.

Chris Berry, a University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy professor who was involved in the poll, said public opinion about taxes and trust in the government has dropped and the poll results indicate increased political polarization.

“One of the things you’ll hear said is, ‘There’s no Democratic or Republican way to collect the trash or pave the streets,’” Berry told the AP. “We tend to think of local government as less partisan.”

Half of respondents say they would prefer fewer government services if it resulted in a lower tax bill. The IRS started accepting tax returns for the 2024 tax season Monday. Additionally, the IRS is rolling out its free file tax return pilot this season and has collaborated with Arizona, California, Massachusetts, and New York for filing season 2024 to integrate state taxes into the program.