Taxes Are FUN!
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to identify the date income tax returns are due and the website for downloading income tax forms. They will be able to explain who must file an income tax return and list the important documents needed to complete one.
Teacher Planning
Several days of activities are included in this lesson plan.
Materials/Resources
- Primary resource for this lesson: https://www.oercommons.org/authoring/7030-a-story-about-taxes-for-beginning-adult-ells/view
- Also helpful, Petherbridge-Hernandez, Patricia and Kathleen P. O'Donnell. Income Tax Made Easy, Third Edition, Portland, Maine: J. Weston Walch, 2008
- Powerpoint presentation: Learning About Taxes
- Taxes Are Fun! - Student Worksheets
- Practice Exercises, forms 1040EZ and 1040A
Activities
1. Ask the students about the date April 15. Why is it important?
2. Show powerpoint presentation, Learning About Taxes
3. Check for comprehension. Ask the students:
Who needs to complete the income tax report?
Who sends the W-2?
Who receives the W-2?
When do they receive the W-2?
Where can you download a copy of the 1040EZ or 1040A form?
What documents are necessary to complete the 1040EZ or 1040A?
Who signs the income tax report if you are married?
4. Read the Tax Story
5. Present the vocabulary list from the story (included in the student worksheet, Taxes, Put These Words in Alphabetical Order)
6. Hand out the student worksheets:
Taxes, Put These Words in Alphabetical Order
Unscramble Sentences
Missing Letters
Practice Exercise, Form 1040EZ
Practice Exercise, Form 1040A
Assessment
- Students will be able to identify April 15 as the day income tax returns are due
- Students will be able to identify IRS.gov as the website to download 1040 forms
- Instrument for student assessement: True or False