American Enterprise Institute, Public Opinions on Taxes: 1937 to Today:

With talk of fundamental tax reform in the air, AEI  updates the Public Opinion Study on Taxes, which takes a comprehensive look at polling on taxes from 1937 to the present.  

• 48% say the federal income taxes they pay are too high.  45% say they are about right.  Only 3% say they are too low
• Late Fall 2010 polls showed the public split on which party could better handle taxes. A new late March-early April 2011 NBC/Wall Street Journal poll shows the Republicans with a 2-point advantage on the issue.  
• 68% in a new AP-GfK Roper poll said “taxes” are an extremely or very important issue to them, ranking far behind such issues as the economy and gas prices.  47% approve of the way President Obama is handling the tax issue, 52% disapprove.
• Although Americans’ preference was to not extend the Bush tax cut for those making $250,000 or more, the public supported the December tax cut compromise that extended that tax break.
• In other areas, public opinion has been stable. Many Americans think the tax system needs major reforms. Polls support a top 25% total tax rate. The estate tax is unpopular. In a December 2010 ABC/Washington Post poll, 52% supported increasing the exemption on inheritance taxes so that only estates worth $5 million are taxed. 41% were opposed.