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In a striking shift of public sentiment, a record 70% of American voters now believe they pay too much in taxes, marking the highest level of discontent since polling on the issue began in 2004. This represents an 11-point surge from last year’s figures and the largest year-over-year increase ever recorded, according to the latest Fox News Poll.
The findings come as the tax filing deadline looms just one week away, revealing deepening frustration with the federal tax system across demographic lines. Particularly notable increases in tax burden concerns were observed among voters with graduate degrees, very liberal voters, Democratic men, and moderates – all showing jumps of 19 points or more compared to 2025.
Alongside growing tax concerns, public perception of government spending efficiency has deteriorated dramatically. Three-quarters of voters now believe that a “great deal” or “almost all” government spending is inefficient and wasteful – an 18-point increase from last year’s 57%. This sentiment crosses party lines, with roughly three-quarters of Democrats, Republicans, and independents agreeing on the issue.
When asked what bothers them most about federal income taxes, 38% of respondents cited wealthy Americans not paying their fair share, though this figure has declined slightly from last year’s record high of 45%. Coming in second at 29% was dissatisfaction with how the government spends tax dollars, up 3 points from a year ago.
Political divisions emerge in these concerns, with Democrats (57%) and independents (40%) most troubled by perceived inequities in tax burden distribution, while Republicans’ primary concern (39%) centers on government’s use of tax revenue.
“The data show why Democrats persistently frame budget, spending, and tax policy questions as a matter of the rich paying their fair share,” noted Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducts the Fox News survey with Democrat Chris Anderson. “It’s one of the only ways the party is competitive on these issues given public skepticism about government performance.”
Public assessment of the Trump administration’s handling of wasteful spending has also declined, with nearly two-thirds (64%) rating these efforts as “only fair” or “poor” – up from 56% in March 2025. This criticism reveals sharp partisan divides: 90% of Democrats and 80% of independents give negative ratings, while 69% of Republicans view the administration’s efforts positively.
Similarly, disapproval of President Trump’s tax policy has reached a record high of 64%, an 11-point increase from a year ago. This dissatisfaction cuts across party lines, with disapproval rising among Democrats (+9 points), independents (+14), and even Republicans (+9) compared to April 2025.
The comprehensive survey also touched on emerging technologies, finding that despite the growing prevalence of artificial intelligence, the vast majority of taxpayers (87%) are not using AI to assist with tax preparation this year. Only 13% reported using or planning to use AI tools for their taxes, with higher adoption rates among Republicans under 45, voters under 30, and minority communities.
The Fox News survey was conducted March 20-23, 2026, under the joint direction of Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research. It included 1,001 registered voters randomly selected from a national voter file, with interviews conducted via landlines, cellphones, and online submissions. The poll has a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points for the full sample.
These findings come at a critical juncture as Americans complete their tax returns and national conversations about fiscal policy, government efficiency, and tax fairness continue to shape the political landscape.
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10 Comments
I’m curious to see if this sentiment extends to views on specific tax policies and spending programs, or if it’s more of a general frustration. Digging into the nuances could help identify targeted reforms that address the core concerns.
That’s a good point. The broad-based nature of the dissatisfaction suggests there may be underlying structural issues that need to be addressed, not just specific policies.
Interesting to see this shift in public sentiment around taxes and government spending. It reflects a broader sense of frustration with the tax system and how tax dollars are being used. I wonder if this will put more pressure on policymakers to address these concerns.
Yes, the surge in dissatisfaction is quite significant. It’ll be important to see if this translates into any concrete policy changes or reforms down the line.
The findings around government spending inefficiency are particularly striking. 75% of voters believing most spending is wasteful is a huge indictment. This underscores the need for better oversight and accountability in how public funds are allocated.
Agreed. Improving spending efficiency should be a top priority for policymakers if they want to rebuild trust with the public on fiscal issues.
The increases in tax burden concerns among certain demographic groups like graduate degree holders and liberal voters are interesting. It suggests this isn’t just a partisan issue, but something cutting across different ideological and educational lines.
Exactly, the cross-cutting nature of the discontent indicates this is a widespread issue that goes beyond traditional political divides.
As someone who follows mining and energy issues, I’m curious to see how this sentiment around taxes and spending may impact policies and regulations in those sectors. Greater scrutiny of government oversight and efficiency could have ripple effects.
That’s a good point. Any changes to tax policies or spending priorities in the mining and energy spaces could have significant implications for those industries and their investors.