A strong majority of Americans want a cut in taxes to the middle class – support that could help the Trump administration accomplish its goal of tax reform before the end of 2017, a Gallup poll shows.
According to a March survey, 61 percent of respondents say they want significant cuts to taxes on the middle class.
"Without a strong push from the American people, [President Donald] Trump's tax reform might not materialize," Gallup's V. Lance Tarrance wrote, adding, however, if a tax reform bill "can be positioned strongly as middle-class tax relief, its chances for success will be higher."
According to Gallup, voters were more split on Trump's plan to cut corporate tax rates: 38 percent reacted positively, while 43 percent were negative about the plan, and 19 percent had no opinion.
"These findings suggest Americans could respond favorably to many of the specific elements of Trump's ultimate tax plan, provided they make it into whatever legislation Congress winds up debating," Tarrance wrote.
"[I]n spite of closing tax loopholes that favor the rich, the plan is expected to end up cutting taxes on the wealthy, not raising them. But as long as the plan also cuts taxes on the middle class, that fact alone is unlikely to sink it with Americans."
Demand is also high for tax reform by Republicans, April polling found, Gallup reported.
In its April survey, 51 percent of Republicans and those who lean GOP believe middle-income Americans pay to much in federal taxes, while 49 percent of Democrats and those who lean Democrat agreed.
"While not as intense as congressional leaders may have expected, public demand for tax reform is still there, especially among the Republicans who may matter most to GOP lawmakers," Tarrance wrote.
"To make tax reform possible from a bipartisan standpoint, Congress needs to make sure the bill can be branded a 'middle-class winner,'" Tarrance added.