A positive attitude toward taxes and a general disapproval of malicious tax avoidance − these are results of a survey that measured public attitudes

A total of 93% of the population consider it important to pay taxes because they feel that it is an important civic duty. This and other interesting results are among the conclusions of a recent attitude survey. The great majority of respondents agreed with the statement “You can trust the Tax Administration”.

The Tax Administration conducts surveys with regular intervals in order to learn more about popular views. The first survey was completed in 2013 and the most recent – in October this year. According to the latest results, the attitudes of the members of the public remain almost unchanged: 93% of respondents agreed with the notion that to pay taxes is an important civic duty and 89% of them indicated that they understand the importance of fiscal revenue as a method of covering the costs caused by the modern welfare state.

“The results are a pleasant surprise”, says Janne Myyry, Service Manager at the Tax Administration.

“Although some news events around the world may cause anxiety and although taxes are often subject to criticism in the media, the statistical indicator for positive attitudes towards taxes still continues to be relatively high. Over the course of the most recent years a very slight deterioration of this indicator is observed, but the effect is negligible. There is a general acceptance of the government’s activities that aim for the collection of revenue.“

The results of the survey also indicate that the great majority (85%) of the population is ready to condemn all forms of tax avoidance.

While public sector entities have recently encountered a decline in their societal regard, the Tax Administration is still seen as a trusted provider of services

Another facet of the general public’s views is the attitude towards the Tax Administration’s day-to-day activity. 81% of respondents felt that the reliability of the Tax Administration’s activity is high, and 79% of them is of the opinion that the Tax Administration assists people in doing the right thing. 86% of respondents gave an affirmative answer to the question “I can trust that my tax-assessment decision is correct”. In addition, 66% felt that the Tax Administration conducts its operations and prepares its decisions with good transparency.

“There was a 5% growth in the indicator for the number of respondents who consider that the Tax Administration’s activity is characterised by an openness and a transparency. This is a fine achievement of a relevant goal. The work we have done during the recent years to improve customer experience is bearing fruit”, says Janne Myyry.

“The results of the Tax Administration’s survey were released concurrently with other data that points to a less favourable image of the public sector than before. Although the less favourable image is a trend that began in 2021, the population’s attitude vis-à-vis the Tax Administration seems to be positive, going against the trend."

The Tax Administration had ordered the survey from the Innolink corporation. The corporation’s researchers talked to one thousand respondents over the telephone during September and October 2025.

More about the subject:

Verohallinnon asennetutkimus 2025 (in Finnish)