How big a deal is tax evasion?

[UGAalum94]

At what point does a failure to report all taxable income actually start seeming like deliberate tax evasion to you?

How mad does it make you that some politicians avoid penalties on the tax that they owed?

Does it compound your anger if the person in question is a politician who favors more government programs that rely on public tax support?

Oddly, it's not really making me that mad, but the absurdity is interesting.

Anyone know what percentage of the population has this problem? It seems like there's a disproportionate number of people in the political class who get busted for not fully paying taxes, taking advantage of programs they aren't really entitled to, or employing staff that they fail to pay taxes or social security for. Sure, some of it may be a reflection of more public scrutiny, but surely not all of it, particularly when you're talking upper tax brackets. Anyone know the general rate of non-payment or underpayment?