Business

Support Is Still There for Raising the Minimum Wage

Most Americans still support raising the minimum wage, even though just over half don’t know exactly what the minimum wage currently is.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults favor an increase in the minimum wage. Thirty-two percent (32%) are opposed, while 13% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on April 2 & 5, 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.

Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.

Most Still Favor Tax Deductions Over Lower Rates

Americans aren't keen on letting go of their tax deductions but still like the idea of everyone paying the same percentage of their income in taxes.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 21% of American Adults think all tax deductions should be eliminated in order to lower tax rates. Fifty-two percent (52%) don’t want to sacrifice deductions for lower tax rates. Twenty-seven percent (27%) are not sure. These attitudes have changed little in annual surveys since April 2009. (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 March 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.

Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.

Americans More Eager to Pay Their Taxes This Year?

Americans are slightly ahead of last year’s pace when it comes to filing their income taxes, perhaps in part because they're even more optimistic they’ll receive a refund. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 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.

Just 31% Trust the IRS

The IRS has a PR problem.

It’s bad enough being the tax collector, but 50% of Likely U.S. Voters don’t trust the Internal Revenue Service to fairly enforce tax laws. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% do trust the IRS to enforce the laws fairly, but 19% more 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 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 22-23, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.

Voters Still Strongly Oppose IRS’ Obamacare Duties

The head of the Internal Revenue Service acknowledged recently that his agency has fielded less than half of taxpayer telephone calls this year because of its new responsibilities policing Obamacare. But voters still strongly believe the IRS should concentrate on tax collection instead. (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 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 22-23, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 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 Tax, Spending Cuts Work Best for Economy

Slightly more voters would now vote for a candidate who would raise taxes on the wealthy over one who would oppose all tax increases, but voters still think cutting taxes and spending is the way to go. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on March 16-17, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 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 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.)

(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 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 beth@rasmussenreports.com.

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.)

(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 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.

(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 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.

(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.

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.

(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 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.

(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 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.

(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 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.)

(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, 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.