Almost 6 out of 10 ANC supporters say they would favour the government keeping tax rates as low as possible.

Earlier this year, the Social Research Foundation (SRF) polled voter opinion on taxation. It put the following two statements to voters.

The first read “The government should ensure that taxes are as low as possible, because people make better decisions than the government, spend money more responsibly and, with lower taxes, they would have more to grow the economy and create wealth and opportunity for all”.

The second read “Because the government needs to use taxes for redistribution it should be able to set the tax rate as high as is necessary to ensure that it is able to redistribute wealth and create opportunities for the poor and marginalised”.

Amongst ANC voters, 50% said they strongly agreed with the first statement, and 8% said they somewhat agreed with that statement. In total therefore, 58% of ANC voters felt that the tax rate should be kept as low as possible.

Thirty two percent of ANC voters agreed strongly with the second statement, and 9% agreed somewhat with that statement. In total therefore, 41% of ANC voters supported the second statement.

Amongst DA voters, a total of 71% agreed with the first statement that taxes should be kept as low as possible, whilst 19% in total lent towards the second statement.