WASHINGTON — As the tax filing deadline approaches, frustration with the federal tax system remains widespread — and increasingly centered on perceptions of unfairness at the top.
A new Pew Research Center analysis finds that about six in 10 Americans say they are bothered “a lot” by the belief that wealthy individuals (61%) and corporations (60%) do not pay their fair share in federal taxes.
The findings highlight a consistent pattern in public sentiment, with those concerns holding steady in recent years and ranking as the top frustrations Americans have with the tax system.
Other concerns trail behind. About 51% say the complexity of the tax system bothers them a lot, while 41% point to the amount they personally pay — a figure that has steadily increased over time. Far fewer, just 12%, say they are highly bothered by the belief that lower-income people do not pay their fair share.
The report also shows a growing sense among Americans that their own tax burden is too high. About 60% now say they pay more than their fair share given what they receive from the federal government, up from 56% in 2023 and roughly half in earlier years.
Partisan differences remain pronounced. Democrats are far more likely to say they are frustrated by wealthy individuals and corporations not paying enough, while Republicans are somewhat more likely to cite the amount they personally pay in taxes as a major concern.
Views also vary by income and age. Middle- and upper-income Americans are more likely than lower-income households to feel overtaxed, and adults ages 30 to 64 are more likely than younger or older groups to say they pay more than their fair share.
Despite those differences, the data points to a shared underlying frustration: a majority of Americans across political and demographic lines continue to view the tax system as uneven and, in many cases, unfair.
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