Business

47% Predict Higher Interest Rates Next Year

Though most Americans say the interest rates they’re paying are little changed from a year ago, nearly half expect interest rates to be higher a year from now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of American Adults believe interest rates will be a higher in one year. Just four percent (4%) expect rates to be lower, while 34% say they’ll be about the same. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 American Adults was conducted on April 14-15, 2013 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.

37% Say Most U.S. Workers Are Dishonest To Get Ahead

Fewer Americans now believe that dishonesty is a common practice used to get ahead in the workplace. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Adults say most working Americans do something dishonest to get ahead at some point in their careers, but that’s down from 52% measured last July.

Forty percent (40%) don’t think employees use dishonesty for career advancement, up from 28% in the previous survey.  Another 23% 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 American Adults was conducted on April 8-9, 2013 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.

43% Are Confident in Stability of U.S. Banking System

Confidence in the American banking industry has once again slipped below 50%.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 43% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking system. That includes only seven percent (7%) who are Very Confident. A majority (52%) now lacks confidence in the banking system, with 16% who are Not At All Confident in its stability. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

Play the Rasmussen Challenge . A new challenge starts today.

(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 American Adults was conducted on April 14-15, 2013 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. Seemethodology.

15% Expect Obama, Congress To Really Cut Spending

Even if Congress and President Obama reach a budget deal, voters aren’t optimistic that it will include real spending cuts.

Sometimes when politicians use the phrase “spending cuts,” they really mean just a reduction in the growth of spending. Only 15% of Likely U.S. Voters think any plan agreed to by the president and Congress will really cut federal spending. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% believe it will merely reduce the growth of future spending instead. Twenty percent (20%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge!

(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 April 9-10, 2013 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.

41% Feel IRS Is Not Aggressive Enough

Voters are narrowly divided in their opinions of the Internal Revenue Service on Tax Day 2013 and tend to think it’s not aggressive enough in going after tax cheats. Perhaps that helps explain why voters aren’t enthusiastic about the IRS’s new role enforcing President Obama’s national health care law.

Forty-two percent (42%) of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the IRS, while slightly more (49%) view it unfavorably, according to a new Rasmussen reports national telephone survey. This includes just seven percent (7%) with a Very Favorable opinion of the federal tax collection agency and 17% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge!

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 13-14, 2013 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.

86% Intend to Hit Today's Tax Deadline

Eighty-six percent (86%) of American Adults plan to have their taxes filed by today's deadline, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. 

That includes 72% who had filed by Saturday, up 11 points from the end of March but down from 78% this time last year. Another 14% intended to get them done yesterday or today. Seven percent (7%) will seek an extension, with seven percent (7%) more 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 American Adults was conducted on April 12-13, 2013 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.

34% Say U.S. Has Crony Capitalist Economic System

Americans are almost evenly divided when asked if the United States has a free market economy or a crony capitalist one. This helps explain why they think more government involvement in the marketplace makes it less fair.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of American Adults believe the United States has a system of free market capitalism. But nearly as many (34%) view it as a crony capitalist system. Twenty-nine percent (29%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leader board.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 8-9, 2013, 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.

54% Think It's Not Possible to Work Hard and Get Rich in America

Most Americans (54%) believe it's no longer possible for anyone to work hard and get rich in this country, and just half (49%) think it’s possible for anyone to work his or her way out of poverty. They also remain deeply pessimistic about the future for the nation's children.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 26% of adults think it’s possible for anyone in America to work hard and get rich. That ties the lowest finding in more than three years of regular tracking. Another 20% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Play the Rasmussen Challenge! A new contest starts tomorrow.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 31-April 1, 2013 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.

55% Think Most Rich People Earned Their Money Through Hard Work

Most Americans still believe most rich people earned their money the hard way – by working for it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters think, generally speaking, that most people get rich by working hard. Twenty-three percent (23%) believe most get their wealth by inheriting it, while 10% think they were lucky. Twelve percent (12%) aren’t 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 April 1-2, 2013 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.

50% Say Doing Taxes Worse Than Going to the Dentist

Filing income taxes can be like pulling teeth, but it's even worse as far as many Americans are concerned.

Fifty percent (50%) of American Adults, in fact, think filling out their income tax paperwork is worse than taking a trip to the dentist’s office. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% disagree. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard. 

(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 American Adults was conducted on March 29-30, 2013 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.

Just 19% Think Stock Market Will Be Higher in a Year

Long-term economic confidence is at its lowest level yet, and Americans remain pessimistic about the housing and stock markets, too.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of American Adults think the stock market will be higher a year from today, a finding which has been trending down from a high of 25% in December. Thirty percent (30%) believe it will be lower in a year's time, while 37% think it will be about the same. Another 13% 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 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 31-April 1, 2013 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.

48% See Government As More Concerned With Making Wall Street Firms Profitable

In the wake of economic crises in Cyprus and other European nations like Greece, Ireland and Italy, nearly half of American Adults think the federal government puts more focus on making Wall Street profitable than on making sure the United States financial system works well for all Americans.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of American Adults think the federal government is more concerned with making Wall Street firms profitable, while just 27% think they are more concerned with making sure the U.S. financial system works well for all Americans. One-in-four (25%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard. 

(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 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 27-28, 2013 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. 

Just 36% Expect Stronger Economy in Five Years

Long-term economic confidence continues to fall and is now at its lowest level yet.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 36% of American Adults think the U.S. economy will be stronger five years from today. Just as many (36%) think it will be weaker. Eleven percent (11%) believe the nation’s economy will be about the same in five years, but another 17% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 31-April 1, 2013 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.

Just 9% Say U.S. Has World’s Best Tax System

Americans continue to believe strongly that the United States does not have the world's best tax system, perhaps in part because half still think they are paying more than their fair share to Uncle Sam.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just nine percent (9%) of American Adults believe the United States has the best tax system in the world. Sixty-four percent (64%) disagree, and another 27% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

Play the Rasmussen Challenge . Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET.

(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 American Adults was conducted on March 29-30, 2013 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.

59% Say Another 2008 Financial Meltdown Likely

While confidence in the U.S. banking industry has rebounded slightly, most Americans fear the financial industry is heading towards another downturn like the one in 2008.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults think it’s at least somewhat likely that the United States will soon face another financial industry meltdown similar to the 2008 crisis.  Thirty percent (30%) think this is unlikely to occur.  These figures include 26% who feel another Great Recession is Very Likely, compared to four percent (4%) who feel it’s Not At All Likely.  (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 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 27-28, 2013 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.

46% Think Feds Might Try To Tax Bank Accounts Like Cyprus

Americans don’t believe the federal government has the constitutional authority to tax bank deposits as they did in Cyprus, but a plurality worries they might try it anyhow.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults think it’s at least somewhat likely that the U.S. government might try to tax money in individual bank accounts. Nearly as many (41%), however, view this as unlikely to occur Thirteen percent (13%) 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 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 27-28, 2013 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.

61% Have Filed Their Income Taxes

With two weeks until the April 15 deadline, 61% of American Adults say they have filed their federal income taxes, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  That’s a 23-point jump from a month ago and nearly identical to findings a year ago at this time.

Twenty-five percent (25%) more plan to file by April 15, while seven percent (7%) intend to get an extension. Another seven percent (7%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Play the Rasmussen Challenge. A new challenge starts tomorrow.

(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 American Adults was conducted on March 29-30, 2013 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.

66% Oppose Cyprus Bailout Plan to Tax Bank Deposits

Most Americans don’t approve of the decision to tax bank accounts as part of a bank bailout in Cyprus but think it’s likely other European countries will resort to similar plans to fight their massive deficit problems.

24% Think Poverty Very Severe in U.S.

Most Americans continue to see poverty as a problem in the United States, but few actually claim they are living in poverty.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of American Adults think poverty is at least somewhat severe in this country. That's down nine points from 80% in September but includes 24% who say it is Very Severe.  Twenty-three percent (23%) think poverty in the United States is not very or Not at All Severe.  (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 Adults was conducted on March 25-26, 2013 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.

Americans Favor Work Over Welfare As Response to Poverty

Americans overwhelmingly agree that the best way to stay out of poverty is to work and like the idea of shifting government money spent on welfare programs to jobs for the poor.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 80% of American Adults agree with the statement, “Work is the best solution for poverty.” Only nine percent (9%) disagree, while 11% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on March 25-26, 2013 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.