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HART RESEARCH A S SOC I A T ES Winning The Tax Wars: A Three-Step Program For Fairness And A Strong Economy Key findings from nationwide voter survey Conducted June 2012 for Public Says Tax Reform Should Be About Fairness, Not Lower Tax Rates % rating each as a very important goal* for reforming federal tax system Make tax system more fair 62% 57% Simplify tax system Maintain tax deductions for families (child credit, college tuition deduction) 45% Keep taxes low 41% Reduce tax rates on small businesses Reduce tax rates on all taxpayers 35% 23% * 9 + 10 ratings on zero-to-10 scale, 10 = extremely important goal Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research 2 Tax Reform Priorities: Defining Fairness % rating each as a very important goal* for reforming federal tax system End tax breaks for corp. shipping jobs overseas 68% End tax loopholes that favor large corporations 65% Ensure same rules apply to everyone, no loopholes 64% Ensure large corporations pay their fair share of taxes 64% Ensure the rich pay their fair share of taxes 61% Get rid of tax breaks that favor the rich 60% End low tax rate on income from stocks and bonds Tax stock/bond income as much as wage income 46% 27% * 9 + 10 ratings on zero-to-10 scale, 10 = extremely important goal Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research 3 Strong Support For Taxing The Richest 2% Which one of these statements comes closer to your point of view? We should raise income taxes on the richest 2% of households 63% Strongly agree 56% Mixed feelings 5% We should not raise income taxes on anyone at this time Strongly agree 29% 32% 4 Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research But Many Don’t Yet See Need For More Revenue Which one of these statements comes closer to your point of view? The country needs more tax revenue to fund priorities like education, transportation, and Medicare Strongly agree 24% 31% Mixed feelings 12% The country does not need more tax revenue, we only need to reduce wasteful government spending Strongly agree 48% 57% 5 Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research While Most People Are Either “Pro-Tax” Or “AntiTax,” One-Third Wants To Tax The Rich But Does Not See Need For Revenue Combined View: Taxing Rich/Need for Revenue Anti-tax: Don’t raise taxes/Don’t need more revenue, just cut spending 35% Pro-tax: Tax the rich/Need more tax revenue to fund priorities 29% 34% “Tax & cut”: Tax the rich/Don’t need more revenue, just cut spending Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research 6 Public Wants Higher Corporate Tax Rates, End to Preferential Treatment Of Capital Gains By more than 4-to-1, the public says that tax rates on corporations should by higher (60%) rather than lower (14%). Fully 95% favor -- 74% strongly -- ensuring that all large corporations pay at least some income taxes. 69% favor (36% strongly) ending preferential treatment of income made by investors (stocks/bonds), so it is no longer taxed at a lower rate than income made by workers (wages/salaries). While 46% say ending tax breaks that allow investors to pay lower rate than working people is a high priority for tax reform, just 27% prioritize taxing “income from wealth…at least as much as income from work.” 7 Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research By Any Name, The Public Is Ready To End High-End Bush Tax Cuts % who favor* each tax/budget proposal being considered by Congress End Bush tax cuts/ breaks for richest 2% of households 54% End Bush tax cuts/ breaks for top 2% of households Increase tax rates on household income above $250,000 54% 38% * darker color = strongly favor Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research 74% 71% 72% 8 Public Wants To End Bush Tax Cuts On Income Over $250,000 The Bush tax cuts . . . are due to expire at the end of this year, . . . tax rates will increase unless Congress takes action. Which is the better way to deal with the Bush tax cuts? Continue the tax cuts for income under $250,000 but end them for income above $250,000 Continue the tax cuts for all income levels 68% Feel strongly 59% Feel strongly 27% 32% 9 Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research Broad Support For Ending Bush Tax Cuts On Incomes Over $250,000 All voters 68% Democrats 89% Independents Republicans Men 69% 43% 63% Women Income under $50K 71% 68% Income $50 to $100K 70% Income $100K/more 70% Northeast South 71% 65% Midwest 69% West 68% Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research 10 Which Is The Best Reason To End The Bush Tax Cuts For Richest 2%? Voters who want to end tax cuts over $250,000 only All voters So that the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes 32% 45% To protect priorities like Medicare and education 18% 21% To get the federal budget deficit under control 18% 16% To make investments in roads, bridges, and schools to create jobs 11% 12% 11 Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research Reasons To End Bush Tax Cuts For Richest 2% (among voters who want to end tax cuts for income over $250K only) Very convincing* 72% The wealthiest people in our country have received the biggest tax breaks, and we just can’t afford to keep giving tax cuts to those who need it the least. 69% The wealthiest people in our country have received the biggest tax breaks, and now it’s time for them to pay their fair share. 43% If we give more tax breaks to the top 2%, we won’t be able to afford to protect middle-class priorities like education and Medicare from deep cutbacks. 41% If we give more tax breaks to the top 2%, we won’t be able to bring the federal budget deficit under control and we will have to keep borrowing billions from China every year. 35% Ending tax breaks for the top 2% will allow us to create jobs by investing in areas like education, research, and transportation. 31% These tax cuts were always intended to be temporary, and we should let them expire now that the country’s needs have changed. 30% This is a modest tax increase on the wealthy: a family making $300K would get to keep about $9,000 of their Bush tax cuts and lose only about $100. * 6-7 ratings on seven-point scale, 7 = extremely convincing reason Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research 12 Reasons To Keep Bush Tax Cuts For All Incomes (among voters who want to end tax cuts for income over $250K only) Very convincing* 52% The national debt was caused by out-of-control government spending, not low taxes. We should reduce the deficit by cutting wasteful spending, not raising taxes on the American people. 37% Raising taxes on small businesses and job creators will hurt our economy and cost millions of Americans their jobs. 34% The politicians may claim they are only raising taxes on high-income families, but once they start increasing taxes you know they will raise taxes on the struggling middle class too–and we just can’t afford that. 33% Politicians raise taxes so they can keep growing the federal government. Until Washington starts respecting taxpayers’ dollars, we shouldn’t give them any more. 16% The top 1% of taxpayers already pay almost 40% of all income taxes, while nearly half of all people don’t pay any federal income taxes at all. We shouldn’t penalize those who have been successful. 12% Raising taxes only on those who have done well is class warfare, dividing America when we should be uniting the country. * 6-7 ratings on seven-point scale, 7 = extremely convincing reason Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research 13 Public Priorities For New Revenue: Deficit Reduction, Medicare, Education, Infrastructure If Congress ends the Bush tax cuts for income above $250,0000, in which three of these areas should Congress use the additional tax revenue? Reducing budget deficit 68% Medicare 42% K – 12 public education 42% 39% Health care Infrastructure and transportation 33% National defense 25% College loans and tuition assistance 22% Job training Scientific research 18% 11% 14 Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research Strong Language In Support Of Rich Paying Their Fair Share % who strongly agree* with each statement 59% To get our nation back on track we need everyone to do their part, and that includes the wealthy and large corporations. 53% With a $1-trillion deficit, the country simply can’t afford to keep giving out tax breaks to the wealthy and large corporations and still meet our pressing needs. 51% We don’t begrudge financial success in this country; we admire it. But when the rich get tax breaks they don’t need and the country can’t afford, somebody else has to make up the difference–and that’s not right. 47% Our tax code should reward hard work instead of giving special tax breaks to the privileged and comfortable who sit around collecting income on their wealth. We don’t begrudge success Reward hard work, not privileged Democrats 63% 64% Independents 53% 43% Pro-tax voters 67% 67% * 9-10 ratings on zero-to-10 scale, 10 = totally agree Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research Tax & cut 65% 56% 15 Summary: The Bush Tax Cuts for the Richest 2% Call them “the Bush tax cuts for the richest 2%.” Central message focus: having the rich pay their fair share of taxes. Do not make this fight about jobs and the economy. Acknowledge need to get deficit under control. Do not say that tax breaks, not spending, caused the deficit. Key debate will not be whether to tax the rich, but defining the choice: A) end or extend cuts for the richest 2%?, or B) end or extend all tax cuts? Who will be blamed if all tax cuts expire? 16 Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research We Have An Opportunity – For The First Time In 30 Years – To Take The Offensive On Taxes The combination of strong public demand for tax fairness and conservatives’ anti-tax absolutism creates an opportunity to go on offense against leaders and groups that defend unpopular tax breaks for the rich and large corporations. We can potentially discredit the Americans for Tax Reform pledge and make it a liability, transforming the debate on tax issues. The tax issue can become a wedge issue that divides the conservative coalition. 17 Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research Public Rejects Tax Pledge That Protects Corporate Loopholes And Tax Breaks For Rich About half the Members of Congress have signed a pledge promising that they will never vote for any tax increase. This pledge includes a promise that they will never vote to make the very wealthy and corporations pay a penny more in taxes, even by eliminating special tax breaks or loopholes. What is your view of those who signed this pledge never to raise taxes? Unfavorable: 68% 32% Very unfavorable 43% Very 9% Favorable Democrats Independents Republicans 89% 73% 43% Northeast South Midwest West 73% 60% 76% 72% However, 60% have a favorable view of a pledge not to raise taxes if we don’t say it applies to tax breaks and loopholes. Unfavorable Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research 18 Position Conservative Politicians As Defenders Of A Status Quo Rigged Against Middle Class % who strongly agree* with each statement 61% Too many politicians are willing to stack the deck in favor of their wealthy campaign contributors and corporate interests, while the middle class gets stuck with the tab. 61% We need to stop wasteful spending in Washington, and that includes getting rid of wasteful tax breaks for corporate CEOs and billionaire hedge fund managers. 59% Our current tax code is full of special deals for powerful interests, and it needs to be overhauled so everyone plays by the same rules. 55% Today our tax system is rigged in favor of the rich and big corporations who can afford to hire lobbyists and tax lawyers, unlike the rest of us. * 9-10 ratings on zero-to-10 scale, 10 = totally agree Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research 19 Our Long-Term Challenge: Making The Link Between Taxes And A Strong Economy Public is skeptical of the claim that taxes are “needed” to avoid cuts or create jobs. Use criticisms of conservatives to help public begin connecting taxes to consequences for the middle class: the same leaders who oppose taxing the rich also want to cut Medicare, education, and other middle-class priorities. Progress is more likely to be made in fights over federal spending (transportation, education) than in tax reform context. In these spending debates, we should link conservatives’ defense of tax breaks/loopholes to their anti-investment position. Focus on strengthening America’s economy for the longterm (less emphasis on short-term job creation). Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research 20 Support For Public Investment Increase funding for investments in education, research, and transportation Favor Strongly favor 40% 77% 23% Oppose Cut funding for investments in education, research, and transportation Favor Oppose 17% Strongly oppose 49% 83% 75% of voters believe that spending more on transportation, education, and research will strengthen our economy and create jobs. Winning the Tax Wars: Three-Step Program for Fairness/Strong Economy–June 2012–Hart Research 21 HART RESEARCH A S SOC I A T ES Winning The Tax Wars: A Three-Step Program For Fairness And A Strong Economy Key findings from nationwide voter survey Conducted June 2012 for