KMOV.com Tax Section
Survey looks at what Americans think about taxes.
SURVEY
-- Was paid for by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation. They've done it since
1947.
-- They surveyed more than 2,000 adults March 28 - April 1, 2005.
-- The margin of error is /- 2.2 points.
-- ON THE WEB: http://www.taxfoundation.org
ARE TAXES TOO HIGH?
-- 55% say taxes are too high. That's a five-point increase in a year.
But lower than average.
-- Since 1947, the average has been that 58% feel taxes are too high.
-- Now, 58% of married couples say taxes are too high.
-- 64% of people aged 45-54 say taxes are too much. That group is the
most unhappy.
LOVE, HATE AND TAXES
-- 70% either "hate" or "dislike" doing their income taxes.
-- In 2001, 65% hated or disliked doing taxes. So it's gone up 5 points.
-- 11% say they like doing taxes.
-- 1% of respondents say they actually "love" doing taxes.
WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY
-- 3% say they get "excellent" value from government.
-- 66% say they get only "poor" or "fair" value from government.
-- In 1993, a whopping 80% of respondents called government "poor" or
"fair."
NEW TAX SYSTEM?
-- Respondents were given the choice between 1)keeping taxes the same,
2)having a flat income tax or 3)having a national sales tax:
-- 37% chose a flat-rate income tax.
-- 19% said the system should stay as it is.
-- 19% picked a national sales tax.
HOW MUCH WE PAY
-- Respondents guessed that Americans pay 29% of their income for taxes
(at all levels).
-- Americans actually pay 29.1%, according to the Tax Foundation.
-- Respondents said taxes should be no more than 16% of income.
FINANCIAL CLASSES
-- 79% say they are lower-middle, middle or upper-middle class.
-- 2% consider themselves upper-class.
-- $200,000 a year is the median of what people think would make them
"rich."
-- 27% say $500,000 a year is the minimum to make them "rich."
(Source: http://www.taxfoundation.org)
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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