Rasmussen Survey Finds Drop In Early Tax Filers

Utica, NY (WIBX) - With the current tax season well underway, a new Rasmussen Poll finds that only 29 percent of Americans report that they've already filed their income taxes, while 66 percent say they have not.

Officials say the findings reveal only a slight decrease -- 1 percent -- in the number of early filers when compared to last year's figures. However, when compared to 2009 figures, the number of early filers is down 33 percent and down 43 percent, when compared to 2008 figures.

Also, 88 percent of Americans say they plan to file by the April 15 deadline, which was extended for 3 days, (to 4/18) this filing season because of Emancipation Day that's marked every April 16 in Washington, DC. The poll also finds that only 43 percent of tax payers say they expect a tax refund this year. These results come from a recent survey of 1,000 likely voters.

The details of the report can be found here: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/taxes/february_2011/29_have_already_filed_their_income_taxes.