A new poll suggests a growing share of Americans continue to feel the strain of taxation, with a clear majority saying they believe they are paying too much to the federal government.
According to a survey released Friday by Gallup, 59 percent of Americans say their taxes are too high, marking the fifth consecutive year that more than half of respondents have expressed that view. Meanwhile, 37 percent say their tax burden is about right, and just 3 percent believe they pay too little.
Gallup noted that public sentiment on taxes has remained near its most negative levels in two decades in recent years, both in terms of how much Americans believe they are paying and whether they view the system as fair. The persistence of these attitudes points to a broader frustration that has not eased, even as tax policy has shifted over time.
The trend has been relatively consistent since 2022. That year, 54 percent of Americans said their taxes were too high, followed by 60 percent in 2023, 56 percent in 2024, and now 59 percent in 2025. While those figures are elevated compared to the roughly 50 percent average seen in the early 2000s, they remain below the levels recorded between the 1970s and 1990s, when more than 60 percent of Americans held the same view.
Gallup attributed the comparatively lower sentiment in the early 2000s to tax cuts enacted under former President George W. Bush. During that period, the percentage of Americans who believed taxes were too high dropped significantly, while perceptions of fairness improved.
Today, however, views on fairness remain sharply divided. The poll found that 47 percent of Americans consider their income taxes fair, hovering near the record low of 45 percent recorded in 1999. At the same time, 49 percent say their taxes are not fair, approaching the record high of 51 percent reached in 2023.
Breaking the numbers down by political affiliation reveals differences, but also areas of overlap. Among Republicans, 60 percent say their taxes are too high, while 64 percent of independents share that view. Even among Democrats, nearly half—49 percent—say they feel overtaxed.
Gallup noted that Republican sentiment has declined slightly from a peak of 71 percent in 2025, while the share of Democrats who feel taxes are too high has risen from 39 percent. Independents, meanwhile, have remained relatively steady in their views over the past few years.
Looking ahead, Gallup suggested that recent tax changes—such as exemptions on tip income and enhanced deductions for seniors—could influence public opinion as Americans file their returns. However, the polling firm cautioned that broader economic pressures may weigh more heavily on perceptions.
In particular, Gallup pointed to the ongoing war in Iran as a factor driving up gas prices and other consumer costs, potentially eroding purchasing power. For many Americans, those day-to-day financial pressures may overshadow any relief offered through tax policy.
The survey was conducted between March 2 and March 18 among 1,000 respondents, with a margin of error of 6 percentage points.
