Whats an interesting way to teach taxes to high school seniors?

Question

I went onto the IRS website and they had some great stuff, even ordered some sample paperwork but I wanted to know what I can do to further their knowledge on taxes. Interesting and creative are welcome, hands on activities are a plus but not required.

Answer 1

Have the students "help" their parent complete the real family taxes.

Create family income scenarios and have students complete EZ 1040s.

Create "famous people" income scenarios have students complete basic taxes forms for the famous people.

Invite a Tax Person to talk with the class.

Good luck....

Answer 2

That's interesting. Maybe they can do some form of work in the class, school, or community service and they can rack up points towards a reward like an end of the year party. Somehow you can integrate the taxes of certain things they must pay in order to have that party. In this sense, they understand that with work they must pay taxes but taxes are paid for the benefit of all.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

I think the best way would be to set up real life scenarios. assign people to certain jobs (as interesting as you can make them) .. give them income , and houses and families. just ask them to give a report about it or something. tell them to fill paperwork out. dont grade them on actual knowledge, because when your telling them to have to study one of the most possible boring subjects on earth seniors will slack off even more than they usually do

by actual knowledge i mean tests with 100 questions about taxes... you know the normal way of teaching

Answer 4

How about this:
Let each student choose a job field, figure out their basic pay rate. Have them decide if they will be married and have any dependents, whether they pay for daycare, have an IRA or 401(k), etc. You could also have a mock lottery. Let each student "win" a prize, then figure out what the tax would be.

Ask each student whether they think taxes are "fair" or "unfair" and why!

Have fun wih it!

Answer 5

First you need to hook them. List on the board all the ways our goverment taxes us. Tell them that it is illegal not to pay taxes and then explain how income taxes came into existence in the first place and what they were supposed to help our government do. If that doesn't depress them completely, you are good to go.

Answer 6

1. Have them bring in pay stubs
2. Charge them (fictitious dollars or points) for going to bathroom, the use of desks, etc.
3. Invite a CPA or the like to talk to them

Answer 7

When I was in Highschool....our math teacher gave us extra credit to if we did our own taxes...since they were not complicated most of did...many years later...I still do my own....keeps me abreast of the current tax changes rather than hope some one else does....I still have my tax return from 1978.