According to the latest Fox News Poll released on March 23, 2026, a record 70% of voters believe their taxes are too high, marking an 11-point increase from last March and surpassing the previous high of 64% in March 2024. This represents the largest year-over-year increase since the question was first asked in 2004, when 51% felt taxes were too high [1]. The poll also highlights that three-quarters of voters, or 75%, feel government spending is wasteful, up 18 points from last year’s 57%. This sentiment is widespread across most demographics, with notable increases among Democrats, independents, and specific groups such as voters with graduate degrees (+24 points), very liberal voters (+20), Democratic men (+19), moderates (+19), rural voters (+17), White voters without a college degree (+16), and women ages 45+ (+16) [1].
The poll reveals bipartisan agreement that a significant share of government spending is wasteful and inefficient, with roughly three-quarters of Democrats, Republicans, and independents expressing this view. However, there is a sharp partisan divide regarding the Trump administration’s handling of identifying and cutting wasteful government spending. Nearly all Democrats (90%) and a large majority of independents (80%) say the administration is not doing a good job, while 69% of Republicans give it a positive rating. Nearly two-thirds of voters (64%) rate the Trump administration’s efforts as only fair (20%) or poor (44%), up from 56% last March [1].
When it comes to federal income taxes, the primary concern for 38% of respondents is that the wealthy are not paying enough, though this figure has dipped from last year’s record high of 45%. The second most common concern is how the government spends tax dollars, which has risen 3 points to 29%. Other irritations include the amount of taxes paid (14%), feeling too many people don’t pay enough (10%), and the complexity of the system (9%). Democrats (57%) and independents (40%) are most concerned about the rich not paying enough, while Republicans’ biggest issue is the amount the government uses (39%) [1].
The poll’s findings suggest growing public dissatisfaction with both tax levels and government spending, particularly as the tax filing deadline approaches. The broad bipartisan agreement on wasteful spending, coupled with partisan divides over the Trump administration’s performance, may influence future debates on budget, spending, and tax policy [1].
CONCLUSION
The Fox News Poll indicates a significant surge in voter dissatisfaction with taxes and government spending, reaching record highs across multiple demographics. This widespread sentiment, especially as the tax deadline nears, could impact political discourse and policy decisions regarding fiscal management. The partisan divide on the Trump administration’s handling of spending waste underscores ongoing tensions in budget and tax policy debates.