Americans Say Tax Duties among Most ''Loathesome'' Tasks; One Third Fears IRS More Than In-Laws or Outlaws

Business Wire, April 5, 2006

NEW YORK -- With the April 15 tax filing deadline looming, nearly one third of 250 respondents* (32%) to an About.com poll said they most "fear and loathe" doing their taxes. Tax chores beat out getting a root canal (19%), having a job performance review/evaluation (14%), or weighing oneself after the holidays (13%). And when asked, "Who would you least like to have show up unannounced at your door?," 21% named the police, while 12% actually named fictional mobster Tony Soprano, and an equal 12% said their in-laws. But who was deemed the most unwelcome visitor? The Tax Man; the IRS received 31% of the more than 160 total votes.

Who is the most infamous of figures to have been in the IRS's crosshairs? Al Capone, America's best-known gun-toting gangster, was the most memorable with 38% of the 110 responses, edging out Leona Helmsley (33%). Trailing the tax offender pack were former Studio 54 owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager (10%); "Survivor" star Richard Hatch (6%); and business mogul Steve Madden (4%).

Though tax time conjures up thoughts of "fear and loathing" for most of us, it's actually an ideal time to think wisely about, and gain control of, one's finances. Former IRS Tax Specialist and About.com's Guide to Tax Planning William Perez shares what everyone needs to know about their 2006 taxes on his popular Web site at About.com. Visit http://taxtime.about.com/ to cast your votes, gain practical tax information and advice, and make April less of a taxing time.

* Respondents opted to answer any number of three poll questions.

About About.com

Founded in 1996, About.com is the leading online source for original consumer information and advice and was acquired in March 2005 by The New York Times Company (NYSE:NYT), a leading media company with 2005 revenues of $3.4 billion. The New York Times Company includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 15 other daily newspapers, nine network-affiliated television stations, two New York City radio stations and 35 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company's core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.