April 15, 2004
Poll says tax cheats needn't fear friends
Posted: April 13, 2004
Madison - If you're planning to cheat when you file your federal tax return by Thursday's deadline, chances are one of your friends won't turn you in.
Badger Poll
Opinions on Taxes
More than two-thirds of Wisconsin residents said they wouldn't report a dishonest friend to authorities, according to a Badger Poll released today.
Twenty-seven percent of the 500 randomly selected residents who were surveyed said they would do nothing if they discovered a friend had cheated on a tax return, and 51% said they would talk to the friend but do nothing more. Twelve percent said they would talk to the friend but still report the impropriety, while only 4% said they would report the friend without discussing it first. Six percent said they didn't know what they would do in that situation or declined to answer the question.
Most people think it's the government's responsibility to catch any wrongdoing, according to the poll. Fifty-nine percent of those surveyed said it's up to the authorities to find cheaters, while 31% said other citizens have a duty to report wrongdoing, 8% said they didn't know, and 2% declined to answer the question.
"Clearly, one has the obligation to be honest themselves, but that does not mean that people feel they need to be part of the enforcement system," said G. Donald Ferree Jr., director of the Badger Poll.
Madison - If you're planning to cheat when you file your federal tax return by Thursday's deadline, chances are one of your friends won't turn you in.
Badger Poll
Opinions on Taxes
More than two-thirds of Wisconsin residents said they wouldn't report a dishonest friend to authorities, according to a Badger Poll released today.
Twenty-seven percent of the 500 randomly selected residents who were surveyed said they would do nothing if they discovered a friend had cheated on a tax return, and 51% said they would talk to the friend but do nothing more. Twelve percent said they would talk to the friend but still report the impropriety, while only 4% said they would report the friend without discussing it first. Six percent said they didn't know what they would do in that situation or declined to answer the question.
Most people think it's the government's responsibility to catch any wrongdoing, according to the poll. Fifty-nine percent of those surveyed said it's up to the authorities to find cheaters, while 31% said other citizens have a duty to report wrongdoing, 8% said they didn't know, and 2% declined to answer the question.
"Clearly, one has the obligation to be honest themselves, but that does not mean that people feel they need to be part of the enforcement system," said G. Donald Ferree Jr., director of the Badger Poll.
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