Petrol duty, the television licence fee and inheritance tax are the three most resented taxes, according to new industry figures.

Research from IFA Promotion reveals 31 million people feel they pay too much tax, with petrol duty topping Britain's most hated tax list for the third year running.

Costing £126.50 for a colour set, the television licence fee makes it to second place on the list of most resented taxes.

The third most resented tax is inheritance tax, charged at 40 per cent on all assets over £275,000, which affects millions of homeowners.

Despite the frustration, 78 per cent of those surveyed admitted to taking no action to limit the amount of tax they pay.

David Elms, chief executive of IFA Promotion, commented: "The chancellor may well take action on one or more of these duties on Budget day, but tax-payers really need to take some action for themselves to stamp out unnecessary tax waste.

"Four out of five people shell out an average £155 each year in unnecessary tax, more than the cost of a TV licence fee, and as a nation we waste a massive £7.6 billion a year in tax."