Lesson Plan
Internal Revenue Service

Understanding the IRS: The IRS Yesterday and Today

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils explain why the Internal Revenue Service was instituted, how it functions, how it has changed over the years, and the ways it helps taxpayers today.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Politics Of Taxation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain that taxation involves a compromise of conflicting goals and that lobbyists can influence lawmakers' decisions about taxes. They can explain why people of similar incomes often pay different tax rates and work in teams...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Taxes

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the concept of taxes and gather relevant information to become a tax 'expert. In this taxes lesson plan, 4th graders work in teams to find information regarding different areas in taxes. Students work together to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Revolt in Boston

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders study the American Revolution. In this American History lesson, 11th graders analyze primary sources. Students participate in a simulation on taxes. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why were the colonists upset about the Stamp Act?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read documents to address why colonists were upset about the Stamp Act. For this sourcing and contextualization lesson, 5th graders read a variety of documents from the American Revolution and predict the author's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why were Americans upset with the British Government?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the Revolutionary War in New York State. In this experiential hook lesson, 4th graders adhere to new rules imposed by the teacher.  Students document their feelings and frustrations with being taxed on using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Your Land is My Land: A Look at Bootleg Coal Mining During the Depression

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the extreme conditions of unemployment during the Great Depression.  In this multiple perspectives lesson, students analyze photographs of coal mining, research and adopt the perspective of a person affected by...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Are Taxes "Normal?"

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the concept of normal distribution. In this normal distribution activity, students find the normal distribution of taxes in the 50 US states. Students make histograms, frequency tables, and find the mean and median of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Taxes: Where Does Your Money Go?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the concept of taxes. In this tax instructional activity, students investigate types of taxes and deductions taken out of a paycheck before they see it. Students calculate the tax on a given dollar amount. Students...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Where Does Your Paycheck Go?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Upper elementary learners explore the concept of taxes taken out of an employee's paycheck. As they work through this lesson, young mathematicians discover the difference between gross pay and net pay. They also see what types...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Taxes

For Students 9th - 10th
In this word search worksheet, students solve a word search by locating forty words related to taxes. The word list includes IRS, jail, and law.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Look at Individual Federal Income Tax

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners investigate the concept of a personal federal income tax. They conduct research and participate in class discussion in order to deal some of the issues. They include why there is an individual income tax and how the money is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stone Fox and Economics

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Pupils read the novel Stone Fox and review economic concepts including income, goods, and services. They define the following terms: capital, credit, credit risk and summarize their reading by reading several chapters at a time. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Taxes

For Teachers K - 12th
Students engage in a variety of lesson plans published by the IRS. They participate in lessons involving how taxes apply and why taxes exist. They view Power Point presentations, complete worksheets, and participate in activities on tax...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Module 8-Tax Credit for Child and Dependent Care Expenses

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students explain the tax credit for child and dependent care expenses. They distinguish between a tax deduction and a tax credit. They see how the tax credit for child and dependent care expenses affects the tax liability.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Module 12-Self-Employment Income and the Self-Employment Tax

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students explain self-employment income and the self-employment tax. They distinguish between an employee and an independent contractor and explain how to compute and report self-employment profit.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Wealth Tax of 1935 and the Victory Tax of 1942

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Young scholars explain that during the Great Depression and World War II, the Roosevelt administration implemented new, broader, and more progressive taxes in order to cover the costs of the New Deal programs and the war.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Methods of Filing

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students explain the methods of filing tax returns and the advantages of preparing and transmitting tax returns electronically. They identify the return method that is most appropriate for certain taxpayers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interest Income

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students identify taxable interest income, and report taxable and tax-exempt interest income.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dependents

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explain dependency exemption and how it affects taxable income, and apply the five dependency tests to determine whether a person can be claimed as a dependent.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exemptions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explain how exemptions affect income that is subject to tax, and determine the number of exemptions to claim on a tax return.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Your First Job

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine that they are responsible for paying income taxes through withholdings on earned income. They examine the Form W-4.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"No Stamped Paper to Be Had"

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars examine primary documents pertaining to the Stamp Act to explain colonial objections to the expansion of taxes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Income Tax Time Word Problems Lesson

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students investigate what taxes are and solve related problems.