A recent survey of taxpayer attitudes by the IRS Oversight Board revealed certain results when taxpayers were asked two questions:

Why Do You Report and Pay Your Taxes Honestly?

(more than one answer allowed)

Taxpayer Responses Taxpayers for Whom This Reason is Key (Percent)

1. My own personal integrity 80%
2. A third party reported my information to the IRS

(e.g. through a Form W-2 or Form 1099), so I must match that amount in my tax form 36%

3. Fear of an audit 36%
4. My neighbors report and pay their taxes honestly, so I will too 20%

What Is an Acceptable Amount by Which to Cheat on Your Income Taxes?

Taxpayers Responding (Percent)

Not at all 86%

A little here and a little there 6%

As much as possible 5%

Other answers 3%

Given the results of this survey, do you think the current self-assessment system is satisfactory? If not, should Congress create additional enforcement procedures to ensure taxpayer compliance? What sort of new reporting rules might be useful?