Poll: Americans want changes in tax system

IRS wins popularity contest with Gingrich

March 29, 1997
Web posted at: 2:43 p.m. EST (1943 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- According to a CNN/Time poll, 93 percent of 1,018 adults polled said they wanted to see some changes -- ranging from minor reform to installation of a completely new system -- in the federal tax system.

Support for major changes in the system grew from 34 percent in 1995 to the current 41 percent, while the number wanting a complete change remained steady at 22 percent.

One in five Americans said the IRS should be abolished, and over two-thirds said it does a good job of collecting the nation's taxes.

People with unfavorable views of the IRS outnumber those with favorable opinions by 6 percentage points.

Even with the low favorable figures, however, the IRS is more popular than House Speaker Newt Gingrich, viewed favorably by 24 percent of those polled.

Current Federal Tax System:

Completely replace 22%
Major changes 41
Minor changes 30
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

How IRS Collects Taxes:

Good job 69%
Poor job 25
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

Should IRS Be Abolished?

Yes 20%
No 74
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

Opinion of IRS:

Favorable 37%
Unfavorable 43
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

Favorable Ratings:

IRS 37%
Gingrich 24
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

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