GOP & Tea Party members favor Flat Tax

GOP presidential contenders have proposed various versions of tax reform, with many including a flat tax proposal (Herman Cain’s 9-9-9; Rick Perry’s 20% flat tax). The latest Economist/YouGov Poll finds limited support for a flat tax in principle, even among Republican voters, and opposition from the public in general. 

Asked about changing the tax system to a 19% flat tax (the best known of the many flat tax plans), Americans oppose the plan 39% to 28%. There is more — but not overwhelming — appeal to the registered voters who say they will vote in a Republicans primary or caucus next year: they favor the flat tax plan 48% to 30%. 

Tea Party identifiers are more supportive. They support the 19% flat tax plan three to one, with 59% in favor and 18% opposed. 

But support drops when the public is told that the biggest beneficiaries of a change to a flat tax would be the well-off. Then nearly half the public say that would make them more opposed to a flat tax. And while half of Republican primary voters say that outcome would not change their opinion, more (31%) say that would make them more opposed than say it would make them more support it more (20%). 

Economist/YouGov poll archives can found here.

Photo source: Press Association