Business

More Think Middle Class Is Shouldering The Tax Burden

Americans feel more strongly than ever that the middle class pays a larger share of their income in taxes than the wealthy do and continue to overwhelmingly reject the notion that the United States has the world’s best tax system.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of American Adults believe middle-class Americans currently pay a larger share of their income in taxes than wealthy people do. Just 20% think wealthy Americans pay a larger share of their income in taxes. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on February 23-24, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Rasmussen Employment Index Matches Six-Year High

For the most recent results on the Rasmussen Reports Employment Index and other economic data, please click here.

The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence rose a point in February to tie the highest level measured in six years.

At 104.2, worker confidence is up from 103.3 in January and matches December’s all-time high. The index fell to a recent low of 81.2 in October 2013 but gained steadily after that. After the Wall Street meltdown in the fall of 2008, the index fell dramatically, hitting an all-time low of 57.8 in July 2009.

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The survey of 8,853 working Americans was conducted in February 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 1 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

One-in-three Consumers Have Positive View of Economy

Effective March 2, Rasmussen Reports daily economic polling is no longer published on our website. For those interested in continuing to receive this data please call 732.776.9777x205 or send e-mail to [email protected].

The Rasmussen Consumer Index, which measures consumer confidence on a daily basis, rose a point on Sunday to 107.1. Consumer confidence is even with a week ago, down five points from a month ago and up three points from three months ago.

The Rasmussen Investor Index dropped two points on Sunday to 124.4. Investor confidence is down two points from a week ago, but up two points from a month ago and up four points from three months ago.

Detailed supplemental information, including a daily history and month-by-month trend data, is available for Platinum Members. 

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The Rasmussen Consumer Index and Investor Indexes are derived from nightly telephone surveys of 1,200 adults and reported on a three-day rolling average basis. The baseline for the Index was established at 100.0 in October 2001. Readings above 100.0 indicate that confidence is higher than in the baseline month. Detailed supplemental information is available for Platinum Members. Historical data for the Consumer and Investor indexes as well as attitudes about the economy and personal finances are also available to Platinum Members.

Going to the Dentist or Doing Your Taxes - You Decide

Americans hate filling out tax paperwork, but at least they're not too worried about being audited after the fact. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on February 23-24, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Welcome Back To Tax Season

Americans are on pace with last year when it comes to filing their income taxes but are slightly less optimistic that they’ll receive a refund. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on February 23-24, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

What's the Diagnosis for Interest Rates and Debt?

Americans continue to say they are paying higher interest rates than they were a year ago and expect to pay even more a year from now.

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The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on February 17-18, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Will You Be Spending More at the Grocery Store?

Just as beginning-of-the-year confidence in the banking industry has faded, concerns about rising grocery prices have returned to levels seen for the last three years.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on February 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Bank Trust Tumbles Back Down

Confidence in the nation's banks has fallen back tolevels seen most months for the past three years.

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The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on February 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

A Home Seller’s Market? Not Quite Yet

Confidence in home ownership as a family investment has hit a year-high, but Americans still have mixed feelings about whether now’s a good time to sell a home.

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The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on February 15-16, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Homeowners Are Making Good on Their Mortgages

Most homeowners are making their mortgage payments on time, but Americans don’t want the government assisting those who can’t.

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The survey of 657 American Homeowners and 800 American Adults was conducted on February 15-16, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Is That A Sinking Feeling in the Housing Market?

After reaching six-year highs in January, homeowners’ confidence in the future of the housing market has returned to levels found over the last couple years.

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The survey of 657 American Homeowners was conducted on February 15-16, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

More Americans Now Consider Themselves Among Working Poor

Although nearly half of working Americans expect to earn more money a year from today, slightly more now say they’re in poverty.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of employed American Adults say they’ll be earning more money a year from today, down from 50% in surveys since July. Just 12% expect to earn less money in a year, while 33% think their salaries will remain about the same over the next 12 months, generally in line with recent surveys. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 571 Employed Adults was conducted on February 3-4, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Say Their Current Job Is Their Best Bet

Americans seem to be content with their current jobs as nearly half believe staying put affords them the best opportunity to get ahead. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds 47% of Employed Americans believe staying with their current job gives them the best chance for career advancement. This finding is up six points from December and is the highest finding since January 2013. Thirty-three percent (33%) think going to work for someone else affords them the best chance for career advancement. Twenty percent (20%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a  free daily e-mail update  ? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).   Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 571 Employed Adults was conducted on February 3-4, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Debt Up; Interest Rates, Too?

Americans are sending positive signals about much of the economy, but they still remain deeper in debt than they were last year at this time. They also continue to think higher interest rates are coming on the money they owe.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% of American Adults say they owe more money than they did a year ago. That's unchanged from December and consistent with surveying since last summer. But just 23% said they owed more money in January of last year. Thirty-two percent (32%) say they owe less money than they did a year ago, while for 36% their level of debt is about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on January 18-19, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

To Sell or Not To Sell: Americans Are Unsure

While homeowner confidence in home values has reached new highs, Americans as a whole still aren’t convinced that it’s a good time to put a house on the market.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of American Adults think now is a good time for someone in their area to be selling home, down slightly from previous surveys and in line with findings since last July. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree, which is down four points from December and the lowest since June. Nearly as many (31%) are not sure, up four points from the previous survey and the highest finding to date. In June, the number who thought it was a good time to sell hit a five-year high of 44%.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 16-17, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Are Inflation Worries Beginning to Wind Down?

Concern about inflation appears to be trending down, and Americans are more confident in the federal government to handle it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 70% of American Adults are still at least somewhat concerned about inflation, with 29% who are Very Concerned. Just 25% don't share that concern, and that includes only five percent (5%) who are Not At All Concerned. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 18-19, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Are More Confident Their Homes Have Increased in Value

Already more optimistic about the future value of their home, homeowners are also more confident about its current value.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Homeowners are at least somewhat confident that they know how much their home is worth in today’s market, in line with recent surveys. Just 12% are not confident that they know their home’s worth. This includes 46% who are Very Confident and three percent (3%) who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 670 American Homeowners was conducted on January 16-17, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Think Obama’s Plan Makes More Middle Class Taxes Likely

President Obama in his State of the Union address last night proposed $320 billion in tax increases on the wealthiest Americans including raising capital gains and inheritance taxes in an effort to pay for initiatives he says will benefit lower- and middle-class taxpayers. Democrats overwhelmingly support the president’s plan, but most voters suspect it will lead to more taxes on the middle class as well.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of all Likely U.S. Voters favor the tax increases the president is proposing, while 41% are opposed. Ten percent (10%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 19-20, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Confidence in America’s Banks Is Up, Too

Americans are starting 2015 off with their most positive view of the country’s banking system since before the Wall Street meltdown.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking system, including 10% who are Very Confident. This overall finding is up 10 points from the 2014 low found in December. It is the highest finding since July 2008 before the Wall Street meltdown and the federal bailout of the financial system.

Thirty-two percent (32%) are still not confident in the stability of the banking industry, with seven percent (7%) who are Not At All Confident. The overall finding is down 12 points from December and is the lowest finding in nearly seven years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 18-19, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Confidence in Housing Market Jumps to New Highs

More homeowners than ever believe their home will be worth more in the future than it is today.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Homeowners say the value of their home will go up over the next year, up four points from the previous high of 40% in November and the highest level of short-term optimism in regular surveying since the spring of 2009. Just 10% think their home’s value will go down over the next 12 months, a new low. Forty-three percent (43%) say it will stay about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 670 American Homeowners was conducted on January 16-17, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.