Survey shows 81% of Brazilians oppose increase in taxes

The government has been collecting too much money in taxes and needs no extra increase to improve public services, said 81% of Brazilians heard in a survey published today (Jul. 12) by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI).

The percentage of respondents who believe that taxes in Brazil are too high rose from 44% in 2010 to 65% in 2016. Those who think that taxes have been rising too much went from 43% in 2010 to 83% this year. In addition, 70% agree that the low quality of public services comes as a result of poor management of resources rather than lack of funding.

In the opinion of 84% of respondents, taxes in Brazil are high or too high, and 73% oppose the reintroduction of the CPMF tax (Temporary Contribution on Financial Transactions).

Public services

A rate ranging from 0 to 100 was devised with popular opinion as its basis. A score above 50 means that the population rate the quality of a given service as high or significant. Rates below 50 indicate the service is regarded poorly.

Health care and security were given the worst rates, with scores between 20 and 22 points across 13 services surveyed.

None of the services reached more than 50 points. The top scorers were electric energy supply (48) and the mail (46).

Public accounts

In the view of 80% of respondents, the government should reduce  current expenses to lower budgetary gaps, while 59% claim that the rise in public spending was excessive in the last few years.

Among those advocating a cut in expenditures, 32% argue that priority should be given to slashing expenses in the public administration, and 22% in the salary of civil servants.

To the respondents who maintain that expenses should be preserved as they are, three options were presented: 42% said the government should sell or give away state-controlled goods to the private enterprise, 17% advocated the creation of taxes, and 12% believe the best answer is to increase the public debt. Another 30% were unable to answer.

The survey also found that 83% think that federal funds are used poorly or terribly administered by the president and his cabinet. The same rate slides to 73% and 70% respectively when it comes to the state and municipal budgets.

The study was conducted in a partnership with the Brazilian pollster IBOPE, and heard 2,002 people in 143 municipalities, from March 17 to 20.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira