Resource

What is Tax?

Why do we pay tax? How is it collected? And how is it used?

Overview

During this lesson, students will look at the purpose and collection of taxes. They will explore how public services are largely funded through the payment of taxes and learn how councils decide their budgets.

By the end of the lesson students will be able to:

  • Describe what tax is
  • Identify and evaluate different methods of collecting and allocating taxes
  • Analyse how councils make local spending decisions

This lesson forms part of our wider collection of Economic and Financial Literacy teaching resources.

Photo credit: Wavebreakmedia from Getty Images

More Lessons resources

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Consumer Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson explores the law concerning buying and selling goods and services highlighting what their rights and responsibilities are as a consumer. The lesson gives students the opportunity to practice…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Why Do We Have Rules?

In this lesson pupils will think about the purpose of rules by reflecting on what life might be like without them. Pupils will discuss different types of rules in the…

Lessons, Community, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Make a Difference in a Day

The Make a Difference in a Day resource pack has been created for teachers who want to deliver a...

More Economics, Money and Managing Resources resources

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

COVID and the Economy

During this session, students will critically examine some of the key economic considerations of the pandemic. They will explore...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS3 (ages 11-14)

The Economy Quiz

In this short, 15 minute activity students use all they have learnt from earlier lessons to complete a quiz...

Sustainability and the Environment, KS2 (ages 7-11)

How Should We Farm?

In this lesson pupils will learn about different farming methods.  They will consider the advantages and disadvantages of these methods and learn how to identify labels that indicate how food…

More Politics and Democracy resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Children’s Rights

In this lesson pupils will learn that there are specific rights for children which are set out in the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child. Pupils will…

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Democracy (Part 1): What is a General Election?

This lesson forms the first part of a three-part unit on Democracy.  Pupils explore the meaning of ‘democracy’, and the ways in which citizens can participate in democratic life in…

Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Voting and the General Election

This resource pack is the second of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the...

More KS3 (ages 11-14) resources

Student Tools, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

How to share learning with your peers

Originally designed to be a companion pack for the Democracy Ambassadors programme, this handy toolkit will support students who...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Learning About the Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson gives students an introduction to the legal system in the UK. During the lesson students will examine the roles of the various professionals involved in the law and…

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

What is a Political Party?

This resource pack is the fourth of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the...