The document is a summary of key findings from a 2019 nationwide survey conducted by the Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford University on Americans' views toward tax policies. Some major findings include:
- Americans believe that tax rates for the highest income earners are about right, with around half thinking rates should stay the same or decrease and a third thinking they should increase.
- A majority support a wealth tax on individuals with over $50 million in assets but oppose it if it could harm the economy or increase unemployment.
- Americans overwhelmingly reject the idea of setting a maximum limit on personal wealth.
- There is no consensus on universal basic income, with around half opposing the idea and less than a third
2. TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Executive Summary and Key Findings............................ 1
Methodology....................................................................... 3
2019 U.S. Tax Survey.......................................................... 4
Demographic Information...............................................16
Additional Data Tables.................................................... 25
About the Authors............................................................31
Acknowledgments............................................................31
About Stanford Graduate School of Business and
the Rock Center for Corporate Governance................ 32
Contact Information....................................................... 32
3. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND KEY FINDINGS
InOctober2019,theRockCenterforCorporateGovernanceatStanfordUniversityconductedanationwidesurveyof3,062individuals—
representative by age, race, political affiliation, household income, and state residence—to understand the American population’s
views on current and proposed tax policies. Key findings include:
TAX RATES FOR HIGH-INCOME EARNERS ARE ABOUT
RIGHT.
A third of Americans (38 percent) believe that the highest
federal tax rate on income should be higher, while a half (51
percent)believe itisaboutrightorshouldbe lower.Democrats
are more likely to believe that the highest rate should be
higher, while Republicans and Independents are more likely
to believe it is right or should be lower. Respondents who
believe the highest rate should be higher would set it at the
50 percent level, a level consistent across respondents of all
political parties. Responses do not vary by household income
levels: Low-, middle-, and high-income households have
similar views on the highest income-tax rate.
MAJORITY FAVOR A WEALTH TAX … BUT NOT IF IT
HARMS THE ECONOMY.
Byathree-to-one margin(65percentto23percent),Americans
support a wealth tax on individuals who have more than $50
million in assets. A wealth tax is favored across respondents
of all political affiliations and across all household income-tax
levels. However, when asked if they would support a wealth
tax if it led to a decline in the U.S. economy or high levels
of unemployment for the average worker, support flips to
opposition and respondents oppose a wealth tax by a two-
to-one margin (53 percent to 26 percent). Opposition in this
case also spans respondents of all political affiliations and all
household income-tax levels.
4. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 2
AMERICANS DO NOT WANT TO SET LIMITS ON
PERSONAL WEALTH.
Americans reject the notion (21 percent to 67 percent)
that there should be a maximum amount of wealth that
any U.S. citizen or household should be allowed to have.
Respondents from low-income households are more likely
than respondents from high-income households to believe in
a maximum amount of wealth, but they still overwhelmingly
reject the notion (27 percent to 59 percent).
AMERICANS DO NOT BELIEVE IN A RIGHT TO
UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME.
When asked whether all U.S. citizens over the age of 18 should
be paid a universal basic income of $1,000 per month by the
United States government, regardless of their employment
status, over a half (55 percent) say no and less than a third (29
percent) say yes. By a slight margin, Democratic respondents
(44 percent to 39 percent) support the concept of a universal
basic income, while Republicans (26 percent to 66 percent)
and Independents (29 percent to 55 percent) do not support
it. Similarly, respondents from low-income households (45
percentto39percent)are alsomore likelytosupportuniversal
basic income.
TRUST IN THE ABILITY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO
SPEND TAX DOLLARS EFFECTIVELY IS LOW.
A majority of Americans (52 percent) do not trust the U.S.
governmenttospendtaxrevenue effectivelytoreduce income
inequality. Only 25 percent do. Respondents of all political
affiliations and also respondents of all household-income
levels hold this view.
AMERICANS BELIEVE IN HIGHER TAXES FOR
CORPORATIONS WHO PAY THEIR CEO LARGE DOLLAR
AMOUNTS.
By a three-to-one margin, Americans believe that companies
whose CEOs earn more than 50 times the pay of their average
worker should pay a higher corporate tax rate than companies
whose CEOs do not earn this much money. Responses do not
vary by household income-tax levels.
LITTLE APPETITE EXISTS TO BREAK UP “BIG TECH.”
Less than a third of Americans (31 percent) believe that
the United States government should break up the largest
technology companies (Amazon, Apple, Google, and
Facebook) because they are too large and powerful. Forty-
two percent do not believe they should be broken up. Again,
only Democratic respondents believe large technology
companies should be broken up (39 percent to 35 percent),
while Republicans and Independents oppose this proposal.
5. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 3
Methodology
In October 2019, the Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford University conducted a nationwide survey of 3,062
individuals—representative by age, race, political affiliation, household income, and state residence—to understand the American
population’s views on current and proposed tax policies. The survey was conducted via Dynata, a first-party data and insight
platform.
6. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 4
2019 U.S. Tax Survey
1. The highest income earners in the United States pay a 37% federal tax rate on their income. The average household pays a
12% federal tax rate. What is your opinion of the federal tax rate paid by the highest earners?
ALL RESPONDENTS
38%
22%
29%
11%
It should be higher It should be lower It is about right No opinion
DEMOCRAT
53%
It should be higher
17%
It should be lower
21%
It is about right
9%
No opinion
REPUBLICAN
24%
It should be higher
30%
It should be lower
37%
It is about right
9%
No opinion
INDEPENDENT
31%
It should be higher
23%
It should be lower
33%
It is about right
13%
No opinion
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
38%
It should be higher
22%
It should be lower
32%
It is about right
8%
No opinion
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
38%
It should be higher
23%
It should be lower
31%
It is about right
8%
No opinion
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
38%
It should be higher
23%
It should be lower
24%
It is about right
15%
No opinion
7. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 5
1a. [If higher] What should the highest federal tax rate be?
ALL RESPONDENTS
50%
Median
DEMOCRAT
52%
Median
REPUBLICAN
50%
Median
INDEPENDENT
50%
Median
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
50%
Median
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
50%
Median
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
53%
Median
8. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 6
2. Do you support a wealth tax on individuals who have more than $50 million in wealth?
ALL RESPONDENTS
65%
23%
12%
Yes No I don’t know
DEMOCRAT
80%
Yes
13%
No
7%
I don’t know
REPUBLICAN
54%
Yes
36%
No
10%
I don’t know
INDEPENDENT
58%
Yes
26%
No
16%
I don’t know
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
61%
Yes
28%
No
11%
I don’t know
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
67%
Yes
22%
No
11%
I don’t know
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
66%
Yes
22%
No
11%
I don’t know
9. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 7
2a. [If higher] How much should wealth above $50 million be taxed per year?
ALL RESPONDENTS
1%
4%
6%
4%
2%
14%
Less than 1% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5%
3%
3%
3%
2%
17%
41%
6% 7% 8% 9% 10% More than 10%
DEMOCRAT
1%
Less than 1%
4%
1%
7%
2%
4%
3%
2%
4%
13%
5%
4%
6%
2%
7%
3%
8%
2%
9%
17%
10%
41%
More than 10%
DEMOCRAT
1%
Less than 1%
4%
1%
6%
2%
4%
3%
4%
4%
13%
5%
3%
6%
3%
7%
4%
8%
1%
9%
18%
10%
39%
More than 10%
INDEPENDENT
1%
Less than 1%
4%
1%
5%
2%
3%
3%
2%
4%
16%
5%
2%
6%
4%
7%
4%
8%
1%
9%
16%
10%
42%
More than 10%
10. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 8
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
2%
Less than 1%
6%
1%
9%
2%
3%
3%
1%
4%
15%
5%
2%
6%
3%
7%
3%
8%
1%
9%
17%
10%
38%
More than 10%
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
1%
Less than 1%
4%
1%
5%
2%
5%
3%
2%
4%
14%
5%
3%
6%
2%
7%
4%
8%
2%
9%
17%
10%
41%
More than 10%
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
2%
Less than 1%
3%
1%
5%
2%
4%
3%
3%
4%
12%
5%
3%
6%
4%
7%
4%
8%
1%
9%
16%
10%
43%
More than 10%
11. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 9
3. If a wealth tax led to a significant decline in the U.S. economy and high levels of unemployment for average workers, would
you support a wealth tax?
ALL RESPONDENTS
26%
53%
21%
Yes No I don’t know
DEMOCRAT
34%
Yes
42%
No
24%
I don’t know
REPUBLICAN
22%
Yes
65%
No
13%
I don’t know
INDEPENDENT
20%
Yes
57%
No
23%
I don’t know
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
24%
Yes
57%
No
19%
I don’t know
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
28%
Yes
53%
No
19%
I don’t know
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
26%
Yes
50%
No
24%
I don’t know
12. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 10
4. Should companies whose CEOs earn more than 50 times the pay of their average worker pay a higher corporate tax rate than
companies whose CEOs do not earn this much money?
ALL RESPONDENTS
65%
22%
13%
Yes No I don’t know
DEMOCRAT
75%
Yes
16%
No
9%
I don’t know
REPUBLICAN
58%
Yes
29%
No
13%
I don’t know
INDEPENDENT
60%
Yes
23%
No
17%
I don’t know
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
62%
Yes
26%
No
12%
I don’t know
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
67%
Yes
21%
No
12%
I don’t know
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
64%
Yes
20%
No
16%
I don’t know
13. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 11
5. Should there be a maximum amount of wealth that any U.S. citizen or household is allowed to have?
ALL RESPONDENTS
21%
67%
12%
Yes No I don’t know
DEMOCRAT
27%
Yes
60%
No
13%
I don’t know
REPUBLICAN
19%
Yes
73%
No
8%
I don’t know
INDEPENDENT
16%
Yes
71%
No
13%
I don’t know
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
17%
Yes
74%
No
9%
I don’t know
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
20%
Yes
69%
No
11%
I don’t know
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
27%
Yes
59%
No
14%
I don’t know
14. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 12
5a. [If yes] What is the maximum amount of wealth they should be allowed to have?
ALL RESPONDENTS
26%
20%
18%
12%
12%
5%
6%
1%
$10 million $50 million $100 million $500 million $1 billion $10 billion $100 billion Other
DEMOCRAT
26%
$10 million
23%
$50 million
17%
$100 million
12%
$500 million
11%
$1 billion
4%
$10 billion
6%
$100 billion
1%
Other
REPUBLICAN
28%
$10 million
20%
$50 million
18%
$100 million
15%
$500 million
8%
$1 billion
5%
$10 billion
5%
$100 billion
1%
Other
INDEPENDENTS
27%
$10 million
17%
$50 million
18%
$100 million
9%
$500 million
16%
$1 billion
6%
$10 billion
5%
$100 billion
2%
Other
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
17%
$10 million
19%
$50 million
19%
$100 million
19%
$500 million
10%
$1 billion
4%
$10 billion
12%
$100 billion
0%
Other
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
20%
$10 million
21%
$50 million
24%
$100 milliont
11%
$500 million
13%
$1 billion
5%
$10 billion
3%
$100 billion
3%
Other
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
36%
$10 million
21%
$50 million
12%
$100 milliont
9%
$500 million
11%
$1 billion
5%
$10 billion
5%
$100 billion
1%
Other
15. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 13
6. To what extent do you agree with the following statement: “I trust the United States government to spend tax revenue
effectively to reduce income inequality?
ALL RESPONDENTS
10%
15%
23%
27%
25%
Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree
DEMOCRAT
11%
Strongly agree
17%
Agree
21%
Neither agree nor disagree
29%
Disagree
22%
Strongly disagree
REPUBLICAN
12%
Strongly agree
17%
Agree
22%
Neither agree nor disagree
25%
Disagree
24%
Strongly disagree
INDEPENDENTS
5%
Strongly agree
12%
Agree
25%
Neither agree nor disagree
29%
Disagree
29%
Strongly disagree
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
10%
Strongly agree
12%
Agree
21%
Neither agree nor disagree
29%
Disagree
28%
Strongly disagree
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
9%
Strongly agree
16%
Agree
23%
Neither agree nor disagree
29%
Disagree
23%
Strongly disagree
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
11%
Strongly agree
17%
Agree
25%
Neither agree nor disagree
23%
Disagree
24%
Strongly disagree
16. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 14
7. Should all U.S. citizens over the age of 18 be paid a universal basic income of $1,000 per month ($12,000 per year) by the
United States government, regardless of their employment status?
ALL RESPONDENTS
29%
55%
16%
Yes No I don’t know
DEMOCRAT
44%
Yes
39%
No
17%
I don’t know
REPUBLICAN
26%
Yes
66%
No
8%
I don’t know
INDEPENDENT
29%
Yes
55%
No
16%
I don’t know
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
23%
Yes
65%
No
12%
I don’t know
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
31%
Yes
55%
No
14%
I don’t know
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
45%
Yes
39%
No
16%
I don’t know
17. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 15
8. To what extent do you agree with the following statement, “The United States government should break up the largest
technology companies (Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook) because they are too large and powerful”?
ALL RESPONDENTS
14%
17%
27%
27%
15%
Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree
DEMOCRAT
18%
Strongly agree
21%
Agree
26%
Neither agree nor disagree
25%
Disagree
10%
Strongly disagree
REPUBLICAN
13%
Strongly agree
14%
Agree
22%
Neither agree nor disagree
30%
Disagree
21%
Strongly disagree
INDEPENDENTS
11%
Strongly agree
15%
Agree
32%
Neither agree nor disagree
27%
Disagree
15%
Strongly disagree
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
15%
Strongly agree
16%
Agree
23%
Neither agree nor disagree
29%
Disagree
17%
Strongly disagree
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
13%
Strongly agree
17%
Agree
26%
Neither agree nor disagree
30%
Disagree
14%
Strongly disagree
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
15%
Strongly agree
18%
Agree
31%
Neither agree nor disagree
23%
Disagree
13%
Strongly disagree
18. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 16
Demographic Information
1. What is your gender?
ALL RESPONDENTS
47%
53%
Male Female
DEMOCRAT
48% Male
52% Female
REPUBLICAN
44% Male
56% Female
REPUBLICAN
49% Male
51% Female
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
62% Male
38% Female
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
46% Male
54% Female
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
39% Male
61% Female
2. What is your age?
ALL RESPONDENTS
44
45
Mean Median
DEMOCRAT
44 Mean
42 Median
REPUBLICAN
46 Mean
45 Median
REPUBLICAN
46 Mean
45 Median
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
49 Mean
49 Median
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
45 Mean
43 Median
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
42 Mean
41 Median
19. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 17
3. What state do you live in?
ALL RESPONDENTS
1%
0%
2%
1%
12%
2%
1%
0%
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware
7%
3%
0%
1%
4%
2%
1%
1%
Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas
1%
1%
0%
2%
2%
3%
2%
1%
Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi
2%
0%
1%
1%
0%
3%
1%
6%
Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York
3%
0%
4%
1%
1%
4%
1%
2%
North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina
0%
2%
8%
1%
0%
3%
3%
1%
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia
2%
0%
Wisconsin Wyoming
20. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 18
DEMOCRAT
1%
0%
2%
1%
13%
2%
2%
0%
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware
7%
3%
0%
0%
4%
2%
1%
1%
Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas
1%
1%
0%
2%
2%
3%
2%
1%
Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi
2%
1%
1%
1%
0%
3%
1%
6%
Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York
3%
0%
4%
1%
1%
4%
1%
2%
North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina
0%
2%
8%
1%
0%
2%
2%
1%
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia
2%
0%
Wisconsin Wyoming
REPUBLICAN
2%
0%
2%
1%
10%
2%
1%
0%
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware
7%
4%
0%
1%
4%
2%
1%
1%
Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas
2%
2%
0%
2%
2%
3%
2%
1%
Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi
2%
1%
1%
1%
0%
2%
0%
6%
Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York
4%
0%
3%
1%
1%
4%
0%
2%
North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina
0%
3%
9%
1%
0%
3%
2%
0%
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia
2%
0%
Wisconsin Wyoming
21. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 19
INDEPENDENTS
1%
0%
3%
1%
13%
2%
1%
0%
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware
7%
3%
1%
1%
4%
2%
1%
1%
Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas
1%
1%
1%
2%
3%
3%
2%
0%
Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi
2%
0%
0%
1%
1%
3%
1%
6%
Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York
3%
0%
3%
1%
1%
3%
1%
1%
North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina
0%
2%
8%
1%
0%
3%
3%
1%
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia
1%
0%
Wisconsin Wyoming
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
1%
0%
3%
0%
16%
1%
2%
0%
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware
6%
2%
1%
1%
5%
1%
1%
1%
Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas
1%
1%
0%
3%
3%
2%
1%
0%
Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi
2%
0%
1%
1%
0%
4%
0%
9%
Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York
2%
0%
3%
1%
1%
4%
0%
1%
North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina
0%
2%
8%
1%
0%
3%
3%
1%
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia
1%
0%
Wisconsin Wyoming
22. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 20
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
1%
0%
2%
1%
12%
3%
1%
0%
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware
7%
3%
1%
0%
4%
3%
1%
1%
Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas
1%
1%
0%
2%
3%
3%
2%
1%
Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi
2%
0%
1%
1%
1%
3%
1%
5%
Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York
4%
0%
3%
1%
1%
4%
1%
1%
North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina
0%
2%
8%
1%
0%
3%
3%
0%
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia
1%
0%
Wisconsin Wyoming
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
2%
0%
2%
1%
9%
1%
1%
1%
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware
7%
4%
0%
1%
4%
2%
1%
1%
Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas
2%
2%
0%
2%
1%
4%
1%
1%
Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi
2%
1%
1%
1%
0%
2%
1%
5%
Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York
3%
0%
5%
1%
1%
4%
0%
2%
North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina
1%
3%
8%
1%
0%
3%
2%
1%
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia
2%
0%
Wisconsin Wyoming
23. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 21
4. How would you describe yourself? (select all that apply)
ALL RESPONDENTS
70%
12%
9%
6%
2%
1%
White Black or Hispanic Asian or Native American Other
African American or Latino Pacific Islander or Alaskan
DEMOCRAT
70%
White
12%
Black or African American
9%
Hispanic or Latino
6%
Asian or Pacific Islander
2%
Native American or Alaskan
1%
Other
REPUBLICAN
70%
White
12%
Black or African American
9%
Hispanic or Latino
6%
Asian or Pacific Islander
2%
Native American or Alaskan
1%
Other
INDEPENDENTS
70%
White
12%
Black or African American
9%
Hispanic or Latino
6%
Asian or Pacific Islander
2%
Native American or Alaskan
1%
Other
INCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
70%
White
12%
Black or African American
9%
Hispanic or Latino
6%
Asian or Pacific Islander
2%
Native American or Alaskan
1%
Other
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
70%
White
12%
Black or African American
9%
Hispanic or Latino
6%
Asian or Pacific Islander
2%
Native American or Alaskan
1%
Other
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
70%
White
12%
Black or African American
9%
Hispanic or Latino
6%
Asian or Pacific Islander
2%
Native American or Alaskan
1%
Other
25. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 23
6. Household Income.
ALL RESPONDENTS
15%
10%
10%
8%
10%
11%
13%
8%
5%
10%
Less than $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000
$20,000 but less than but less than but less than but less than but less than but less than but less than but less than or more
$30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000
DEMOCRAT
15%
Less than $20,000
10%
$20,000 but less than $30,000
10%
$30,000 but less than $40,000
8%
$40,000 but less than $50,000
10%
$50,000 but less than $60,000
11%
$60,000 but less than $75,000
13%
$75,000 but less than $100,000
8%
$100,000 but less than $125,000
5%
$125,000 but less than $150,000
10%
$150,000 or more
DEMOCRAT
15%
Less than $20,000
10%
$20,000 but less than $30,000
10%
$30,000 but less than $40,000
8%
$40,000 but less than $50,000
10%
$50,000 but less than $60,000
11%
$60,000 but less than $75,000
13%
$75,000 but less than $100,000
8%
$100,000 but less than $125,000
5%
$125,000 but less than $150,000
10%
$150,000 or more
INDEPENDENT
15%
Less than $20,000
10%
$20,000 but less than $30,000
10%
$30,000 but less than $40,000
8%
$40,000 but less than $50,000
10%
$50,000 but less than $60,000
11%
$60,000 but less than $75,000
13%
$75,000 but less than $100,000
8%
$100,000 but less than $125,000
5%
$125,000 but less than $150,000
10%
$150,000 or more
26. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 24
NCOME 3 TOP BRACKETS
0%
Less than $20,000
0%
$20,000 but less than $30,000
0%
$30,000 but less than $40,000
0%
$40,000 but less than $50,000
0%
$50,000 but less than $60,000
0%
$60,000 but less than $75,000
0%
$75,000 but less than $100,000
36%
$100,000 but less than $125,000
23%
$125,000 but less than $150,000
41%
$150,000 or more
INCOME 4 MIDDLE BRACKETS
0%
Less than $20,000
0%
$20,000 but less than $30,000
0%
$30,000 but less than $40,000
20%
$40,000 but less than $50,000
23%
$50,000 but less than $60,000
25%
$60,000 but less than $75,000
32%
$75,000 but less than $100,000
0%
$100,000 but less than $125,000
0%
$125,000 but less than $150,000
0%
$150,000 or more
INCOME 3 BOTTOM BRACKETS
43%
Less than $20,000
29%
$20,000 but less than $30,000
28%
$30,000 but less than $40,000
0%
$40,000 but less than $50,000
0%
$50,000 but less than $60,000
0%
$60,000 but less than $75,000
0%
$75,000 but less than $100,000
0%
$100,000 but less than $125,000
0%
$125,000 but less than $150,000
0%
$150,000 or more
27. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 25
Additional Data Tables
1. The highest income earners in the United States pay a 37% federal tax rate on their income. The average household pays a
12% federal tax rate. What is your opinion of the federal tax rate paid by the highest earners?
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
It should be higher 36% 39% 38% 41% 34% 38% 43% 35% 39% 11% 36% 41% 37% 36% 39% 43%
It should be lower 22% 24% 21% 21% 23% 21% 22% 30% 26% 21% 39% 28% 28% 23% 18% 12%
It is about right 30% 28% 30% 27% 30% 31% 22% 23% 23% 42% 18% 18% 25% 28% 33% 40%
No opinion 12% 9% 11% 11% 13% 10% 13% 12% 12% 26% 7% 13% 10% 13% 10% 5%
1a. [If higher] What should the highest federal tax rate be?
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
Median 53% 50% 50% 51% 50% 50% 60% 50% 50% 70% 48% 61% 55% 50% 50% 50%
2. Do you support a wealth tax on individuals who have more than $50 million in wealth?
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
Yes 62% 66% 67% 64% 66% 66% 63% 67% 67% 42% 54% 64% 69% 65% 64% 59%
No 26% 23% 21% 26% 21% 23% 26% 22% 21% 42% 36% 24% 21% 22% 25% 29%
I don’t know 12% 11% 12% 10% 13% 11% 11% 11% 12% 16% 10% 12% 10% 13% 11% 12%
28. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 26
2a. [If higher] How much should wealth above $50 million be taxed per year?
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
Less than 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 1% 1% 2% 2% 2% 0% 13% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1%
1% 2% 5% 5% 5% 3% 4% 2% 3% 5% 0% 0% 1% 3% 2% 6% 9%
2% 5% 8% 5% 8% 4% 6% 4% 7% 8% 0% 6% 2% 5% 4% 9% 8%
3% 5% 3% 4% 4% 4% 4% 6% 5% 3% 0% 0% 5% 5% 4% 3% 2%
4% 3% 2% 3% 2% 2% 2% 5% 3% 2% 0% 0% 1% 4% 1% 1% 2%
5% 12% 15% 14% 14% 14% 15% 10% 12% 13% 38% 7% 12% 12% 16% 15% 12%
6% 3% 3% 2% 4% 2% 2% 6% 4% 4% 12% 0% 8% 4% 2% 2% 1%
7% 4% 3% 2% 3% 3% 3% 4% 3% 1% 12% 0% 3% 4% 5% 1% 2%
8% 4% 3% 3% 4% 3% 3% 5% 2% 4% 0% 0% 10% 4% 3% 2% 3%
9% 1% 2% 1% 2% 1% 1% 3% 3% 2% 0% 0% 5% 2% 1% 1% 1%
10% 18% 16% 17% 16% 18% 18% 16% 11% 12% 13% 27% 19% 17% 16% 16% 23%
More than 10% 42% 39% 42% 37% 45% 41% 37% 45% 44% 25% 47% 32% 39% 45% 43% 36%
3. If a wealth tax led to a significant decline in the U.S. economy and high levels of unemployment for average workers, would
you support a wealth tax?
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
Yes 24% 26% 28% 30% 23% 23% 37% 30% 37% 26% 32% 42% 30% 28% 21% 16%
No 57% 52% 52% 53% 52% 56% 44% 51% 46% 53% 47% 44% 52% 49% 56% 64%
I don’t know 19% 22% 20% 17% 25% 21% 19% 19% 17% 21% 21% 14% 18% 23% 23% 20%
4. Should companies whose CEOs earn more than 50 times the pay of their average worker pay a higher corporate tax rate than
companies whose CEOs do not earn this much money?
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
Yes 63% 65% 66% 64% 65% 65% 66% 66% 68% 42% 57% 63% 68% 62% 64% 62%
No 22% 22% 21% 25% 20% 21% 22% 23% 19% 32% 32% 26% 21% 22% 21% 26%
I don’t know 15% 13% 13% 11% 15% 14% 12% 11% 13% 26% 11% 11% 11% 16% 15% 12%
29. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 27
5. Should there be a maximum amount of wealth that any U.S. citizen or household is allowed to have?
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
Yes 21% 21% 22% 21% 21% 18% 35% 27% 25% 11% 7% 63% 31% 22% 13% 8%
No 68% 67% 67% 70% 64% 71% 54% 57% 65% 63% 82% 26% 59% 66% 73% 83%
I don’t know 11% 12% 11% 9% 15% 11% 11% 16% 10% 26% 11% 11% 10% 12% 14% 9%
5a. [if yes] What is the maximum amount of wealth they should be allowed to have?
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
$10 million 30% 24% 27% 28% 26% 25% 28% 31% 30% 0% 0% 17% 25% 28% 33% 21%
$50 million 21% 19% 22% 17% 24% 18% 25% 21% 23% 50% 50% 30% 23% 19% 15% 5%
$100 million 12% 21% 17% 20% 16% 19% 16% 14% 12% 0% 0% 13% 18% 19% 15% 27%
$500 million 13% 13% 9% 12% 12% 14% 12% 9% 9% 0% 0% 11% 12% 11% 12% 26%
$1 billion 8% 11% 16% 14% 9% 12% 8% 12% 17% 0% 0% 11% 12% 13% 13% 5%
$10 billion 6% 5% 3% 4% 5% 5% 4% 5% 7% 50% 0% 11% 4% 5% 2% 5%
$100 billion 8% 5% 5% 4% 7% 5% 6% 6% 2% 0% 50% 7% 5% 5% 7% 0%
Other 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 3% 11%
6. To what extent do you agree with the following statement: “I trust the United States government to spend tax revenue
effectively to reduce income inequality?
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
Strongly agree 8% 10% 11% 12% 8% 8% 20% 12% 10% 16% 14% 9% 12% 10% 9% 3%
Agree 15% 16% 15% 15% 15% 13% 18% 20% 15% 16% 14% 16% 18% 15% 13% 16%
Neither agree nor disagree 24% 23% 23% 21% 26% 22% 24% 27% 23% 16% 11% 27% 22% 23% 23% 24%
Disagree 29% 28% 25% 25% 29% 30% 21% 23% 23% 31% 29% 27% 25% 28% 29% 28%
Strongly disagree 24% 23% 26% 27% 22% 27% 17% 18% 29% 21% 32% 21% 23% 24% 26% 29%
30. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 28
7. Should all U.S. citizens over the age of 18 be paid a universal basic income of $1,000 per month ($12,000 per year) by the
United States government, regardless of their employment status?
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
Yes 34% 34% 34% 34% 34% 30% 50% 43% 33% 21% 14% 56% 47% 34% 22% 12%
No 53% 51% 53% 53% 50% 56% 36% 43% 48% 37% 64% 32% 41% 50% 62% 79%
I don’t know 13% 15% 13% 13% 16% 14% 14% 14% 19% 42% 22% 12% 12% 16% 16% 9%
8. To what extent do you agree with the following statement, “The United States government should break up the largest
technology companies (Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook) because they are too large and powerful”?
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
Strongly agree 13% 15% 15% 18% 11% 13% 20% 17% 14% 5% 18% 23% 19% 13% 10% 10%
Agree 16% 18% 15% 18% 16% 15% 20% 17% 24% 26% 18% 19% 19% 14% 16% 16%
Neither agree nor disagree 28% 28% 26% 25% 30% 27% 26% 29% 28% 32% 36% 27% 26% 30% 26% 31%
Disagree 28% 25% 29% 24% 29% 29% 22% 23% 26% 21% 14% 20% 23% 28% 32% 28%
Strongly disagree 15% 14% 15% 15% 14% 16% 12% 14% 8% 16% 14% 11% 13% 15% 16% 15%
Demographics
1. Gender
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
Male 39% 54% 46% 100% 0% 48% 36% 49% 55% 32% 54% 42% 38% 45% 54% 71%
Female 61% 46% 54% 0% 100% 52% 64% 51% 45% 68% 46% 58% 62% 55% 46% 29%
2. Age
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
Mean 43 46 46 48 42 46 39 42 45 45 45 19 29 44 60 75
Median 40 45 54 48 40 46 34 39 44 44 44 19 29 43 60 74
32. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 30
4. How would you describe yourself? (select all that apply)
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
White 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 58% 68% 78% 79% 85%
Black or African American 12% 12% 12% 12% 12% 0% 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% 28% 17% 7% 9% 5%
Hispanic or Latino 9% 9% 9% 9% 9% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 0% 13% 9% 6% 6% 4%
Asian or Pacific Islander 6% 6% 6% 6% 6% 0% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 1% 6% 7% 5% 4%
Native American or Alaskan 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 0%
Other 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 1% 0% 2%
5. Political Affiliation
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
Democrat 37% 41% 38% 40% 38% 35% 58% 47% 39% 27% 36% 43% 41% 38% 38% 36%
Republican 33% 25% 29% 27% 31% 33% 11% 22% 25% 42% 11% 26% 27% 31% 30% 30%
Independent 26% 31% 31% 31% 28% 29% 28% 29% 34% 26% 43% 25% 29% 29% 30% 32%
Other, please specify 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 7% 6% 0% 0% 0% 1%
None 3% 2% 2% 2% 3% 2% 3% 2% 2% 5% 3% 0% 3% 2% 2% 1%
6. Household Income
RedStates
BlueStates
PurpleStates
Male
Female
White
Blackor
African
American
Hispanicor
Latino
AsianorPacific
Islander
Native
Americanor
Alaskan
OtherRace
GenZ18–20
GenYor
millenials
21-37
GenXor
latchkey38–50
BabyBoomers
51–70
Matureor
silentgen
71–89
Less than $20,000 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 13% 29% 16% 7% 16% 15% 29% 17% 12% 15% 7%
$20,000 but less than $30,000 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 16% 12% 5% 26% 7% 22% 11% 9% 10% 6%
$30,000 but less than $40,000 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 9% 14% 3% 0% 7% 11% 10% 10% 9% 9%
$40,000 but less than $50,000 8% 8% 8% 8% 8% 8% 8% 10% 6% 10% 19% 8% 11% 8% 6% 9%
$50,000 but less than $60,000 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 8% 10% 6% 11% 19% 11% 11% 8% 10% 10%
$60,000 but less than $75,000 11% 11% 10% 11% 11% 11% 8% 11% 11% 5% 4% 5% 11% 10% 10% 13%
$75,000 but less than $100,000 13% 13% 13% 13% 13% 14% 9% 9% 23% 11% 11% 6% 13% 14% 13% 17%
$100,000 but less than $125,000 8% 8% 8% 8% 8% 9% 4% 9% 9% 5% 7% 4% 7% 8% 10% 9%
$125,000 but less than $150,000 5% 5% 6% 5% 5% 6% 3% 4% 10% 0% 7% 2% 3% 9% 6% 7%
$150,000 or more 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 9% 6% 5% 20% 16% 4% 2% 6% 12% 11% 13%
33. 2019 U.S. TAX SURVEY 31
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
DAVID F. LARCKER
David F. Larcker is the James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at Stanford
Graduate School of Business, director of the Corporate Governance Research
Initiative, and senior faculty of the Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Center for
Corporate Governance. His research focuses on executive compensation
and corporate governance. Professor Larcker presently serves on the Board
of Trustees for Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. He is coauthor of the books
A Real Look at Real World Corporate Governance and Corporate Governance
Matters.
Email: dlarcker@stanford.edu
Twitter: @stanfordcorpgov
Full Bio: http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/david-f-larcker
BRIAN TAYAN
Brian Tayan is a member of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative
at Stanford Graduate School of Business. He has written broadly on the
subject of corporate governance, including boards of directors, succession
planning, compensation, financial accounting, and shareholder relations.
He is coauthor with David Larcker of the books A Real Look at Real World
Corporate Governance and Corporate Governance Matters.
Email: btayan@stanford.edu
Full Bio: http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/contact/brian-tayan
Acknowledgments
THE AUTHORS WOULD LIKE TO THANK MICHELLE E. GUTMAN OF
THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE RESEARCH INITIATIVE AT STANFORD
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS FOR HER RESEARCH ASSISTANCE
ON THIS STUDY.