Hill Poll: Voters Favor Lower Tax Rates on Wealthy, Corporations

Many surveys have shown that Americans favor higher taxes for the wealthy. But when asked to choose actual income tax rates for rich people, 75 percent of likely voters in a poll from The Hill specified a rate lower than the current 35 percent.

And a bare majority of that 75 percent chooses a rate of 20 percent or below for families earning more than $250,000.

Here’s how the numbers shake out:
— 21 percent of respondents recommend a rate below 20 percent;
— 17 percent recommend a rate of 20 percent;
— 23 percent recommend a 25 percent rate;
— 14 percent recommend a 30 percent rate;
— 13 percent recommend a 35 percent rate;
— 4 percent recommend a 40 percent rate;
— no one recommends a 45 percent rate.

President Barack Obama seeks a rate of about 40 percent starting next year.

A 73 percent majority of likely voters also favors a lower top rate for corporate income taxes. The ceiling is now 35 percent. Here's how these numbers shake out:
— 17 percent of respondents favor a top rate of less than 20 percent;
— 14 percent favor a 20 percent top rate;
— 25 percent favor a 25 percent rate;
— 17 percent favor a 30 percent rate;
— 11 percent favor a 35 percent rate;
— 4 percent favor a 40 percent rate;
— 1 percent favor a 45 percent rate;
— 5 percent favor a rate above 45 percent.