The public supports increased taxes on the wealthy

Some of the new law's provisions will no doubt affect the taxes of the rich (and other taxpayers) indirectly. For one thing, the law provided billions in new funding for the IRS. This, in turn, will lead to more frequent and stringent audits that can ultimately result in higher taxes. Additionally, increased taxes on corporations may affect those with stock ownership. These tend to be higher-income individuals, although average workers' 401(k) plans and pay raises could also be affected. And other corporate entities affected by the bill claim their increased tax burdens will be passed on to taxpayers. But overall, rich taxpayers, for the most part, were spared the specific or direct increases in taxes initially envisioned by Democratic leaders. The average American, on the other hand, would not have minded if the law had increased taxes on the rich. Americans tend to be more likely than not to favor higher taxes on those with high incomes. This fact of life has been well-established across a wide variety of public opinion indicators over the years.