Poll: More Americans Say Their Taxes Fair

According to a new poll from CBS News, the average taxpayer’s opinion on how fair the U.S. tax system is depends a lot on how much money you make. The survey found that 50% of Americans think the amount they pay the government in taxes is fair, which is a slight decrease from the last few years.

The percentage who think they pay more than their fair share in taxes has risen from 37% three years ago to 43%.

Back in 1997 Americans viewed the amount of taxes they paid as even less fair. Then, 49% said they were paying more than their fair share of federal income taxes, while 47% said they paid the right amount.

To establish this data CBS polled over 850 random adults in the country using random phone numbers to find participants. If you would like to see more about their methodology, or checkout the full study then head over to CBS News.com.

Few Will Use Tax Refund to Indulge: Poll

A new poll done by Bankrate.com and Princeton Survey Research Associates International has found that fewer Americans will go shopping with their tax refunds this year. According to the study (via MSNBC.com) an estimated 84% of U.S. taxpayers intend to pay bills, eliminate debt, or buy essential items with their refunds.

Only 7 percent plan to fritter the money away on a shopping spree or vacation.

On the other hand, 40 percent of those who believe they owe taxes say they are not prepared to pay up. Nevertheless, only 6 percent plan to borrow money, though 17 percent say they intend to set up an installment plan with the IRS.

And six in 10 people (63 percent) will pay their taxes with funds straight from their bank accounts.

ankrate commissioned Princeton Survey Research Associates International to gauge Americans' feelings about the looming tax deadline and whether or not they're prepared to pay the taxman.

Overall, 30 percent of Americans intend to pay down debt with their tax refund, 28 percent say they will save or invest it, and 26 percent have earmarked those funds for necessities such as food or utility bills.

Continue reading at MSNBC.com…

Survey: Many Small Business Owners Favor Tax Cuts Over Asset Plan

The Dallas News posted an article earlier today discussing a poll of small business owner’s opinions on tax cuts to stimulate the economy. Check out a portion of the study’s findings below, or check out the full text here.

Many small business owners disagree with the U.S. government’s allocation of funds from its Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) and think tax cuts are a better way to stimulate the stalled economy, according to a survey released on Monday by online payroll service SurePayroll.

“Small business owners are screaming for a different solution," Michael Alter, president of Glenview, Ill.-based SurePayroll, which conducted the survey this month. "They know firsthand the challenges their businesses are facing, and have seen no relief from Washington."

Nearly three-quarters of the survey respondents disapproved of TARP, which was set up last year to funnel $700 billion to financial institutions hurt in the subprime mortgage crisis. Survey respondents blamed Congress, U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and lobbyists for the mishandling of TARP disbursements. Only 3 percent deemed TARP effective.

Nearly three out of four small business owners think the government should take a different approach to boost the economy, with about half saying the answer is to cut taxes. Other suggestions included:

• A massive stimulus program (11 percent).

• Easing the small business health care burden (10 percent).

• Forcing banks to lend money (9 percent).