(NewsNation) — An overwhelming 71.4% of Nevada voters polled favor eliminating taxes on tips, NewsNation Las Vegas affiliate KLAS reported.
The poll asked: “Tips received by employees are considered federally taxable income. Do you think taxes on tips should be eliminated, or should tips remain taxable?” Here’s how Nevadans responded:
71.4% — Taxes on tips should be eliminated
16.5% — Tips should remain taxable
12.0% — Unsure or no opinion
The question was included in the latest Emerson College Polling/The Hill/8 News Now poll, which was conducted Aug. 26-28. The poll surveyed 1,168 Nevadans who said they are “very likely” to vote in the November election. The poll has a credibility interval — similar to a margin of error — of 2.8% in Nevada.
The idea of eliminating federal taxes on tips gained widespread support among Nevadans — and other states, too — since former President Donald Trump put it out there at a June rally during a Las Vegas campaign rally. The Culinary Union immediately labeled it a political stunt, but it has grown beyond that now. The union and Democrats have supported all or part of the idea.
In August, Vice President Kamala Harris told supporters in Nevada she supported eliminating taxes on tips, taking a similar position to her rival in an effort to win over service workers, an important constituency in the state.
“It is my promise to everyone here when I am president we will continue to fight for working families, including to raise the minimum wage and eliminate taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers,” Harris said.
Harris said she would work to drive down consumer prices, vowing to “take on big corporations that engage in illegal price-gouging” — including corporate landlords that unfairly raise rents on working families — and big pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices.
Reuters and NewsNation affiliate KLAS contributed to this report.