Tax Survey Results

Here are the results of the recent Tax Survey I conducted. All percentages
have been rounded off. Thanks to all who participated.

Bill Zercher
Kennesaw State College

(1) Which do you think is the worst tax - that is, the
least fair? [ ]

1. Federal income tax 31%
2. Federal Social Security tax 28%
3. State income tax 4%
4. State sales tax 13%
5. Local property tax 23%

(2) From which level of government do you get the least for
your money? [ ]

1. Federal 65%
2. State 19%
3. Local 16%

(3) Do you file a U.S. income tax return? [ ]

1. Yes (Please continue the survey) 99%
2. No (Please terminate the survey now. 1%

(4) How long does it take you to organize the information
necessary to file your return? [ ]

1. Less than 2 hours 27%
2. Up to 4 hours 26%
3. Up to 8 hours 16%
4. Up to 12 hours 10%
5. More than 12 hours 20%

(5) Does your occupation include preparing income tax
returns for other people? [ ]

1. Yes 2%
2. No 98%

(6) Who fills out your tax form? [ ]

1. I do it myself manually 43%
2. I do it myself with the aid of a
computer program 32%
3. C.P.A. 10%
4. Tax Attorney 1%
5. Tax service 5%
6. Spouse 8%
7. Other 1%

(7) What is the major reason for using this person or
service to do your taxes? [ ]

1. I do my own taxes 66%
2. The tax laws are too complicated 7%
3. Tax preparation takes too much time 3%
4. Forms are too hard to understand 0%
5. Fear of making mistakes 8%
6. Other 14%

(8) What form do you normally use for filing your income
tax return? [ ]

1. 1040EZ - easy form 16%
2. 1040PC - electronic filing 4%
3. 1040A - short form 8%
4. 1040 without schedules - long form 4%
5. 1040 with schedule(s) - long form 66%
6. Don't know 1%

(9) Rate your feelings about understanding the directions
for filling out the IRS forms: [ ]

1. Easy 6%
2. Moderately easy 28%
3. Moderate 24%
4. Moderately difficult 25%
5. Difficult 16%
6. Don't know 0%

(10) Have you ever been audited? [ ]

1. Yes 10%
2. No 90%

(11) If you had a choice, which of the following tax systems
would you choose? (choose only one) [ ]

1. The system we have now is fine 3%
2. The current system with some 24%
modification
3. A flat tax rate on income 36%
4. A consumption tax (a national 31%
sales tax) with no income tax
5. A value added tax with no 3%
income tax
6. No opinion 3%

(12) How do you feel about the current Federal income tax
structure? (choose only one) [ ]

1. It is fair and equitable 12%
2. It is a disincentive for 32%
higher earning
3. It is unfair 56%

(13) The U.S. income tax code favors those earning below the
poverty level. [ ]

1. Strongly agree 15%
2. Agree 27%
3. Neither agree nor disagree 24%
4. Disagree 18%
5. Strongly disagree 15%

(14) The U.S. income tax code favors the middle class. [ ]

1. Strongly agree 1%
2. Agree 8%
3. Neither agree nor disagree 13%
4. Disagree 39%
5. Strongly disagree 38%

(15) The U.S. income tax code favors the rich. [ ]
1. Strongly agree 27%
2. Agree 27%
3. Neither agree nor disagree 17%
4. Disagree 16%
5. Strongly disagree 13%

(16) Each year, I am aware of changes in the tax code that
affect me. [ ]

1. Strongly agree 3%
2. Agree 40%
3. Neither agree nor disagree 15%
4. Disagree 32%
5. Strongly disagree 8%

(17) The I.R.S. has too much power. [ ]

1. Strongly agree 38%
2. Agree 27%
3. Neither agree nor disagree 25%
4. Disagree 8%
5. Strongly disagree 0%

(18) I am satisfied with the current Federal income tax
system. [ ]

1. Strongly agree 3%
2. Agree 5%
3. Neither agree nor disagree 12%
4. Disagree 40%
5. Strongly disagree 40%

Demographics:

(19) How old are you? (enter your age in the box) [ ]

Median age = 37

(20) What is your gender? [ ]
1. Male 85%
2. Female 15%

(21) What is your filing status? [ ]
1. Single 32%
2. Married filing jointly 64%
3. Married filing separately 3%
4. Head of household - single parent 0%
5. Qualifying widow(er) 1%

(22) What is the two letter Postal abbreviation for the state
you live in? [ ]

1. Northeast 24%
2. Midwest 24%
3. Southeast 30%
4. West 22%

(23) What is your level of education? [ ]

1. High school not completed 0%
2. High school graduate 2%
3. Some college 12%
4. Associates degree 3%
5. Bachelors degree 38%
6. Post graduate 45%

(24) What is your income range (total household income)? [ ]

1. under $20,000 10%
2. $20,000 - $44,999 24%
3. $45,000 - $69,999 40%
4. $70,000 - $94,999 21%
5. $95,000 - $120,000 5%
6. over $120,000

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