More people are unhappy with tax changes than are pleased, a new poll shows.On October 1, the Government increased GST from 12.5 percent to 15 percent, increased benefits and reduced personal income tax rates.A nationwide HorizonPoll survey of 1558 people
More people are unhappy with tax changes than are pleased, a new poll shows.
On October 1, the Government increased GST from 12.5 percent to 15 percent, increased benefits and reduced personal income tax rates.
A nationwide HorizonPoll survey of 1558 people between November 16 and 19 found 8.2 percent of those surveyed felt better off because of the changes while 53.5 percent thought they were worse off.
A substantial group, 35.6 percent, felt their situation was unchanged.
Of lower income households, 71.5 percent earning less than $20,000 a year felt worse off while 60 percent of those earning between $20,000 and $30,000 felt the same.
Among households earning between $100,001 and $150,000, 39.3 percent a year felt worse off (19.6 percent better off) and 53.2 percent of those in households with incomes $200,000 plus felt worse off (24.6 percent better off).
Of households earning $30,000 to $50,000, 5.5 percent felt better off, 54.3 percent worse off.
Among middle income households earning $50,001 to $70,000 a year 11 percent felt better off, 45.9 percent worse off.
Young and elderly people felt better off -- 18 to 24 year-olds had the highest better-off result at 11.2 percent, followed by those aged 65-74 years (9.5 percent). Among 24 to 34 year-olds 4.3 percent felt better off, the lowest score.
Among National voters, 14.9 percent felt better off, 44.6 percent were neutral and 37.3 percent said they were worse off.
Of Labour voters, 4.2 percent feel better off, 30.4 percent neither better nor worse and 62.9 percent worse off.
The poll has a margin of error of 2.5 percent.
