It’s not just the money that aggravates people about taxes, it’s the process. Forty-nine percent (49%) of American adults say that filling out income tax paperwork is worse than going to the dentist. Thirty-eight percent (38%) have the opposite view (see crosstabs).

The latest Rasmussen Reports survey also found that just 19% say that America’s tax system is generally fair. More than three times as many, 70%, say it is unfair. GOP voters are far more likely to say the system is fair (27%) than Democrats (12%).

The national telephone survey of 1,000 adults found that 56% believe that tax increases generally hurt the economy (a figure that includes 68% of Republicans and 47% of Democrats). Only 17% believe tax hikes are generally good for the economy, a number that among Democrats reaches only 21%.

Looking at the question from the opposite perspective, Ronald Reagan’s prescription for the economy still earns support from a slight majority of all Americans. Fifty-two percent (52%) say tax cuts generally help the economy, with 21% saying they generally hurt. On this question there's a bigger partisan divide: only 35% of Democrats agree, as compared to 73% of Republicans.

A separate survey recently found that most voters are conceptually comfortable with raising taxes on the wealthy to help provide health insurance for the uninsured. However, most also think that if politicians promise to increase taxes on the wealthy, their own taxes will be increased.

The results are broadly consistent with previous polling, although attitudes vary from state to state. In early 2006, Rasmussen Reports conducted surveys in 33 states showing that a majority think tax cuts are beneficial in 24 of the states.

Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.