(Week of 9/22/2012) Republican challenger Mitt Romney’s recent release of his 2011 tax returns was noticed by most Americans, half of whom accurately state his effective tax rate. In the latest Economist/YouGov Poll, 51% said Romney paid between 10% and 15% of his income to the federal government.
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Romney’s 2011 effective tax rate was 14.1%.
In contrast, fewer voters can state the tax rate President Obama paid last year, which was about 25%. Just 21% placed Obama’s effective tax rate between 20% and 30%. Nearly half think he paid a lower rate, and one in four admit they don’t know.
Half the public thinks the taxes Romney paid aren’t enough: 50% say it’s less than his fair share. That’s fewer than think Bill Gates, known as the country’s richest man, is paying less than his fair share.
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But the President also gets his share of critics. Nearly a third believes he is paying less in taxes than he should.
61% consider taxes to be a very important issue.
Economist/YouGov poll archives can be found here
Photo source: Press Association