In 2012, Reason-Rupe found that 57 percent favored raising taxes 'on those making more than $250,000 a year,' while 39 percent opposed. These results seem to contradict previous Reason-Rupe poll results finding a majority in support of raising taxes on the wealthy-implying support for a progressive rather than flat tax. However, those who think government should be doing more and that we need a strong government to solve problems favor a flat tax by only 8 points (roughly 51 to 45 percent). Nevertheless, Democrats are more likely to oppose the flat tax (43 percent) compared to Republicans (29 percent) and independents (29 percent).Īmericans who say the less government the better and that the free market can better solve problems than a strong government, favor a flat tax by a margin of nearly 50 points (roughly 72 to 25 percent).

Support for a flat tax extends beyond partisanship, with 66 percent of Republicans, 68 percent of independents, and 52 percent of Democrats in support. Similarly across education groups and age groups, 6 in 10 say they support the flat tax. Strong support for a flat tax extends across income groups (62 percent) among those making less than $30,000 a year and 73 percent among those making more than $110,000 a year. This reflects another recent Reason-Rupe poll finding that 67 percent of Americans say it is 'not the responsibility of the government to reduce the differences in income between people with high incomes and those with low incomes,' while 29 percent say it is. When asked where they would set the flat tax, the aveage response was 15 percent. The latest Reason-Rupe poll asked Americans if they would support or oppose changing the federal tax system to a flat tax, where everyone pays the same percentage of his or her income, finding that 62 percent favor the flat tax and 33 percent are opposed.

Flat tax problems