According to Pew Research …
Overall, 33% of Americans say they do their own taxes while 56% say someone else prepares their taxes.
- Note 1: 11% don’t know who does their taxes or were befuddled by the question
- Note 2: The folks in the 11% get to vote in Presidential elections (ouch!)
A majority of Americans (56%) have a negative reaction to doing their income taxes 1 in 4 say they hate doing them.
Among those who dislike or hate doing their taxes, most cite the hassles of the process or the amount of time it takes:
About a third (34%) say they either like (29%) or love (5%) doing their taxes.
Here are some details re: the “likers” and lovers …
Blacks are far more likely than whites to say they like doing their taxes (52% vs. 28%).
Overall, people with lower incomes are more likely to have a positive of view of doing their taxes than those with higher incomes.
The expectation of getting a refund is cited most often for why people like doing their taxes, but it is not the only factor.
- 29% say that they are getting a refund
- 17% say they just don’t mind it or they are good at it
- 13% say doing their taxes gives them a sense of control
- 13% cite a feeling of obligation – that it is their duty to pay their fair share
Bottom line: People who pay little or no taxes – and get a refund — think the process rocks.
People who pay taxes, not so much.
I’d like more info on the nitwits who don’t know whether they prepared their taxes or not ….
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Tags: Pew Research
The Homa Files 
April 12, 2013 at 9:49 am |
I think Marion Barry went over a decade without filing a tax return. That should give you some insight into the 11%.
April 12, 2013 at 11:39 am |
As a young military officer, I used to have to really kick butts to get my junior soldiers to file 1040-EZ.
They just were away from home for the first time, never had done it before, assumed it was settled when the amount came out of their check, etc.
I bet a lot of that 11% are “junior taxpayers”. 4-5% of tax filers are filing for the very first time, right? Another 2-3% probably have a change in life station that makes filing a challenge (divorce, widowhood). I bet compliance is relatively low among such “new” filers.