Wealthy tend to favor raised taxes

WASHINGTON – As the clock ticks toward a Jan. 1 deadline for going over the “fiscal cliff,” most wealthy people want to be taxed more – according to a new poll.

Sixty-seven percent of the top 1 percent of American earners, those making more than $450,000 a year, support higher income taxes, and CNBC reports those surveyed said they would favor paying more.

While the top earners aren’t jumping for joy over the idea, an American Express/Harrison Group poll says they’d support it for the sake of a broader economy.

President Barack Obama wants taxes raised on those making $250,000 or more, but House speaker John Boehner proposes hikes only on those making $1 million or more annually. House Republicans shot Boehner’s plan down, saying they didn’t want taxes raised on anyone.

Read more about the poll here from CNBC.

WTOP’s Veronica Robinson contributed to this report.

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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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