The Geithner Effect on Taxpayer Attitudes

The IRS Oversight Board today released the results of its 2009 Taxpayer Attitude Survey of 1,000 respondents. This is the eighth year the board has conducted the survey.

Perhaps not surprisingly in light of the well publicized tax transgressions of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and other Obama Administration officials and nominees, this year's survey revealed:

• How much, if any, do you think is an acceptable amount to cheat on your income taxes?  A little here and there, 9% (highest in 6 years)
• How important is it to you, as a taxpayer, that the IRS does each of the following to ensure that all taxpayers honestly pay what they owe -- Ensures high-income taxpayers are reporting and paying their taxes honestly?  Very important, 83% (all-time high)
• How important is it to you, as a taxpayer, that the IRS does each of the following to ensure that all taxpayers honestly pay what they owe -- Ensures small businesses are reporting and paying their taxes honestly?  Very important, 76% (all-time high)
• How much influence does each of the following factors have on whether you report and pay your taxes honestly -- Fear of an audit?  Great deal of influence, 39% (all-time high)
• How much influence does each of the following factors have on whether you report and pay your taxes honestly -- Belief that your neighbors are reporting and paying honestly?  Great deal of influence, 17% (all-time low)

Another batch of results indicate that taxpayers are more self-reliant in preparing their tax returns:

• How important is it to you, as a taxpayer, that the IRS provides each of the following services to assist taxpayers -- A toll-free telephone number to answer your questions?  Great deal of influence, 70% (down eight percentage points from last year)
• How important is it to you, as a taxpayer, that the IRS provides each of the following services to assist taxpayers -- Office locations you can visit where an IRS representative will answer your questions?  Great deal of influence, 59% (all-time low)
• How important is it to you, as a taxpayer, that the IRS provides each of the following services to assist taxpayers -- Opportunities for electronic filing of tax returns? Great deal of infuence, 66% (all-time high).
• How important is it to you, as a taxpayer, that the IRS provides each of the following services to assist taxpayers -- A computer terminal located in a kiosk at a library or shopping mall? Great deal of influence, 37% (all-time high)
• How important is it to you, as a taxpayer, that the IRS provides each of the following services to assist taxpayers -- A tax assistance van that visits locations not convenient to IRS offices to provide information and assistance?  Great deal of influence, 40% (all-time low)
• How important is it to you, as a taxpayer, that the IRS provides each of the following services to assist taxpayers -- Community-based tax clinics at convenient locations, such as schools, community centers, libraries, etc.?  Great deal of influence, 46% (all time low)
• How likely would you be to use each of the following services for help with a tax issue -- A toll-free telephone number to answer your questions?  Very likely, 49% (all-time low)
• How likely would you be to use each of the following services for help with a tax issue -- Office locations you can visit within 30 to 60 minutes travel time where an IRS representative will answer your questions?  Very likely, 35% (all-time low)
• How likely would you be to use each of the following services for help with a tax issue -- Office locations you can visit within 30 to 60 minutes travel time where an IRS representative will answer your questions?  Very likely, 20% (all-time low)
• How likely would you be to use each of the following services for help with a tax issue -- A computer terminal located in a kiosk at a library or shopping mall?  Very likely, 18% (all-time low)
• How likely would you be to use each of the following services for help with a tax issue --  A computer terminal located in a kiosk at a library or shopping mall?  Very likely, 18% (all-time low)
• How likely would you be to use each of the following services for help with a tax issue -- A tax assistance van that visits locations not convenient to IRS offices to provide information and assistance?  Very likely, 21% (all-time low)
• How likely would you be to use each of the following services for help with a tax issue -- Community-based tax clinics at convenient locations, such as schools, community centers, libraries, etc.?  Very likely, 27% (all-time low)