Washington (May 7, 2003) -- A recent survey by a woman’s business group gives additional ammunition to the Bush administration in its efforts to permanently repeal the estate tax. According to the survey, an overwhelming majority of Americans oppose the notion of anyone being taxed on the death of their parents, whether or not they would be affected by the estate tax.
Women Impacting Public Policy, a bipartisan organization representing more than 430,000 women in business, commissioned two independent research organizations to conduct the survey. The survey of 2,500 voters found that 79 percent agreed that the estate tax is unfair, since it amounts to potentially triple taxation--once when the income is earned, a second time when it is saved, and a third time at death.
Frank Luntz, president of Luntz Companies, one of the polling organizations, said, "No matter what you call it--estate, inheritance or death tax--the American people find it unfair and want it eliminated.
"People of all kinds all across the country dislike the inheritance tax, and that includes Democrats and low income families. For example, 65 percent of those who make less than $30,000 a year think the tax is unfair, no matter what it's called. In more than a decade of polling, I have never seen such hostility toward any other tax.," Luntz added.
Jeffrey Pollock, president of Global Strategy, another one of the polling organizations, said that voters' preference is clear. "They'll vote overwhelmingly for the candidate who wants to eliminate the death tax."
-- WebCPA staff
