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The Whys of Taxes

Theme 1: Your Role as a TaxpayerLesson 1: Why Pay Taxes?

 

Income Tax file folder
The government provides public goods and services for the community as a whole. To pay its bills, the government needs revenue, or a source of income. The money that the federal government uses to pay its bills comes mostly from taxes. Taxes shift resources from private individuals and businesses to the government.

materials:

Activities
Activity
Activity 1: Your Federal GovernmentCheck out the vast scope of the federal government.
Activity
Activity 2: Public Goods and ServicesGet a bird's eye view of a typical community to see how many government services can be found.
Activity
Activity 3: Citizen's Guide to the Federal BudgetLearn how the federal government gets and spends its money.
Assessment
Assessment
Complete the assessment page to test your understanding of Why Pay Taxes?
Links
Links
Would you like to learn more tax trivia? Check out Tax Trivia.
quick check
Where does the government get the money needed to provide essential goods and services?


tax trivia
Did You Know?
Taxes and taxation are often received with mixed emotions. Historically, taxes have been met with rebellion and unrest; patriotism; war; and voluntary compliance. French tax collectors were sent to the guillotine in 1789.

Test your tax trivia knowledge by answering the following multiple-choice question. To assess your answer, click the Check My Answers button at the bottom of the page.
Which ancient civilization revered the tax professional as the most noble man in society?
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  • D.


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