The Luntz Research Companies - National Survey on Taxes and Social Security - August 1998
Most Americans will never pay the Death Tax - but 70% still believe it is one of the most unfair taxes.
 "People do not work for inherited income, so inheritances should be taxed
at a higher rate since it is not earned income." 77% DO NOT AGREE
"The estate tax is progressive, and it only affects the wealthiest Americans. Right now, inheritances of
less than $625,000 are not taxed. Since only wealthy Americans have estates that high, the death tax should not be reduced." 48% DISAGREED, 44% AGREED
"Inheritance taxes are an extreme form of taxation. The tax rate, as high as 55%, is higher than even
the highest federal income tax rate - and that's unfair." 85% AGREED
Percentage of Americans Who Believe Tax is UNFAIR
|
|
Social Security Benefits |
79% |
Savings Account Interest |
74% |
Death/Inheritance |
69% |
Long Distance Phone |
65% |
Capital Gains |
48% |
Property |
47% |
Income |
46% |
Payroll |
46% |
Gas |
43% |
Sales |
37% |
Alternative Minimum |
30% |
Cigarette |
28% |
Alcohol and Beer |
20% |
|
|
Percentage of Americans Who Believe Tax is FAIR
|
|
Alcohol and Beer |
76% |
Cigarette |
69% |
Sales |
61% |
Gas |
54% |
Income |
51% |
Property |
50% |
Payroll |
47% |
Capital Gains |
41% |
Long Distance Phone |
32% |
Death/Inheritance |
24% |
Savings Account Interest |
24% |
Alternative Minimum |
22% |
Social Security Benefits |
18% |
|
|
|
|
