Zogby Analytics asked 4,298 likely voters "do you agree or disagree that the increased costs of goods and services because of inflation is another 'tax' on Americans."
A plurality (39%) strongly agreed the increased cost of goods and services is another tax on Americans. Overall, nearly three-quarters (71%) of likely voters at least somewhat agreed, while only one fifth of likely voters at least somewhat disagreed. The youngest voters aged 18-29 (66% at least somewhat agreed/23% at least somewhat disagreed) were least likely to agree that the increased cost of goods and services is another tax, but a strong majority still at least somewhat agreed. Nearly identical majorities of voters aged 30-49 (72% at least somewhat agreed/20% at least somewhat disagreed), 50-64 (72% at least somewhat agreed/17% at least somewhat disagreed) and 65+ (71% at least somewhat agreed/19% at least somewhat disagreed) felt the increased costs of goods and services was another tax on Americans. Both men (75% at least somewhat agreed/19% at least somewhat disagreed) and women (67% at least somewhat agreed/20% at least somewhat disagreed) were aligned in their belief that the increased costs of goods and services was a hidden tax.
While most issues divide voters based on party, region, race and age, voters in this poll found common ground when discussing the inflation of goods and services currently happening in the American economy.
Strong majorities of Democrats (64% at least somewhat agreed/25% at least somewhat disagreed), Republicans (80% at least somewhat agreed/13% at least somewhat disagreed), and Independents (68% at least somewhat agreed/21% at least somewhat disagreed) felt that higher prices were another tax on Americans.
There was no difference of opinion among sub-groups when it came to the race of surveyed voters. Whites (71% at least somewhat agreed/19% at least somewhat disagreed), Blacks (71% at least somewhat agreed/19% at least somewhat disagreed) and Hispanics (71% at least somewhat agreed/21% at least somewhat disagreed) all agreed the increased cost of goods and services is a tax on Americans.
Finally, there was almost unanimity among where voters lived. The numbers were almost identical, as was the case with many sub-groups, among urban (71% at least somewhat agreed/20% at least somewhat disagreed), suburban (71% at least somewhat agreed/19% at least somewhat disagreed) and rural voters (70% at least somewhat agreed/19% at least somewhat disagreed).
It will be interesting to see how these attitudes among voters play out in the near future as Democrats further unveil their new tax plan, which could establish higher corporate and personal tax rates than in Communist China. Americans clearly do not like taxes when they hit their grocery shopping or entertainment budgets. At the same time voters also express support for taxing the rich. The next series of budgets and bills passed by the Democrats could unleash a wave of spending and taxes on the American public that could change the tide of how Americans view taxes. Inflation is considered a tax by the public and even though voters support higher taxes on the rich, if these same policies and taxes are eating away at paychecks and grocery bills, the Democrats "tax the rich" policies might come back to haunt them in the 2022 midterm election.
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Zogby Analytics Poll Methodology
US Likely Voters
8/5/21 - 8/13/21
Zogby Analytics conducted an online survey of 4,298 likely voters in the US.
Using internal and trusted interactive partner resources, thousands of adults were randomly invited to participate in this interactive survey. Each invitation is password coded and secure so that one respondent can only access the survey one time.
Using information based on census data, voter registration figures, CIA fact books and exit polls, we use complex weighting techniques to best represent the demographics of the population being surveyed. Weighted variables may include age, race, gender, region, party, education, and religion. The party breakdown for this survey is as follows: 38% Democrat, 38% Republican and 24% Independent/unaffiliated.
Based on a confidence interval of 95%, the margin of error for 4,298 is +/- 1.5 percentage points. This means that all other things being equal, the identical survey repeated will have results within the margin of error 95 times out of 100.
Subsets of the data have a larger margin of error than the whole data set. As a rule we do not rely on the validity of very small subsets of the data especially sets smaller than 50-75 respondents. At that subset we can make estimations based on the data, but in these cases the data is more qualitative than quantitative.
Additional factors can create error, such as question wording and question order.
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About Zogby Analytics:
Zogby Analytics is respected nationally and internationally for its opinion research capabilities. Since 1984, Zogby has empowered clients with powerful information and knowledge critical for making informed strategic decisions.
The firm conducts multi-phased opinion research engagements for banking and financial services institutions, insurance companies, hospitals and medical centers, retailers and developers, religious institutions, cultural organizations, colleges and universities, IT companies and Federal agencies. Zogby's dedication and commitment to excellence and accuracy are reflected in its state-of-the-art opinion research capabilities and objective analysis and consultation.