Our primers, case studies, and lesson plans form a comprehensive crash course ready for the classroom.
Featured Resources
History of Taxes
Learn where and when taxes originated and how they resemble taxes we have today. Understand how the American tax code developed from the beginning of the colonies. Learn about some of the weirder taxes throughout history, designed not just to raise revenue, but influence behavior too.
The Weird Way Taxes Impact Behavior
Learn about how taxes can influence human behavior through the power of incentives. See how different tax policies have impacted everything around us, including the buildings we live in, the cars we drive, and even what we eat and wear. Gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of designing tax policies that encourage positive economic behaviors.
Not All Taxes Are Created Equal
Discover why there are better and worse ways for governments to raise a dollar of revenue. Compare the economic impact of the three basic tax types—taxes on what you earn, buy, and own—including three specific taxes within each category. Learn about the basics of “dynamic scoring,” one tool economists can use to compare the economic and revenue impact of different tax policies.
Case Study: Cutting Corporate Taxes
The corporate income tax is levied by federal and state governments on business profits. State-level corporate income tax rates vary across the country. Learn about the effects of reduction and elimination of corporate income taxes and the economic result by comparing examples from North Carolina and Ohio
Case Study: Global Tax Deal
What is the OECD Global Tax Deal and what impact will it have on U.S. and foreign multinationals? Learn about the OECD’s efforts to prevent companies from shifting profits—including Pillar 1, which is focused on changing where companies pay taxes, and Pillar 2, which would establish a global minimum tax.
Case Study: Sales Taxes vs. Excise Taxes
Excise taxes are imposed on a specific good or activity, such as cigarettes, alcohol, and fuel. Because of their narrow base, excise taxes distort production and consumption choices. Sometimes this distortion is by design. Compare the effects of sales taxes and tobacco excise taxes with real policy examples.
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Lesson Plan: Tax Basics
In this lesson plan, students will understand the basics of taxation and its impact on their daily lives, learn about their state tax system, and be able to compare it to other states in the U.S.
Lesson Plan: Average vs. Marginal Tax Rates
In this lesson plan, students will know how average and marginal tax rates are calculated. Students will compare the two tax rates. Students will learn how marginal and average tax rates combine to impact the taxpayer and economy.
Case Study: Taxing a New Industry
More states are contemplating the tradeoffs associated with legalizing recreational marijuana and taxing it to obtain a new stream of revenue. In fact, a key point when legalizing recreational marijuana is tax design. Most states that currently allow and tax sales have opted for a price-based (ad valorem) excise tax and levy the general sales tax on recreational marijuana sales.
History of Taxes
Learn where and when taxes originated and how they resemble taxes we have today. Understand how the American tax code developed from the beginning of the colonies. Learn about some of the weirder taxes throughout history, designed not just to raise revenue, but influence behavior too.
Lesson Plan: The Three Basic Tax Types
What are the three basic tax types in the American Tax Code? In this lesson plan, students will learn about taxes on what you earn, taxes on what you buy, and taxes on what you own. Learn how do these taxes fit together, how they impact government revenues and the economy, and where you may encounter them in your daily life.
Case Study: Sales Taxes vs. Excise Taxes
Excise taxes are imposed on a specific good or activity, such as cigarettes, alcohol, and fuel. Because of their narrow base, excise taxes distort production and consumption choices. Sometimes this distortion is by design. Compare the effects of sales taxes and tobacco excise taxes with real policy examples.
Case Study: Global Tax Deal
What is the OECD Global Tax Deal and what impact will it have on U.S. and foreign multinationals? Learn about the OECD’s efforts to prevent companies from shifting profits—including Pillar 1, which is focused on changing where companies pay taxes, and Pillar 2, which would establish a global minimum tax.
Common Tax Questions, Answered
Get answers to some of the tax policy questions we hear most often from taxpayers, businesses, and journalists. Learn everything from the basics of who pays taxes and the difference between credits and deductions, to how taxes impact the economy and what constitutes sound tax policy. Discover additional resources to explore each question and topic in more depth.
Case Study: Cutting Corporate Taxes
The corporate income tax is levied by federal and state governments on business profits. State-level corporate income tax rates vary across the country. Learn about the effects of reduction and elimination of corporate income taxes and the economic result by comparing examples from North Carolina and Ohio
The Weird Way Taxes Impact Behavior
Learn about how taxes can influence human behavior through the power of incentives. See how different tax policies have impacted everything around us, including the buildings we live in, the cars we drive, and even what we eat and wear. Gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of designing tax policies that encourage positive economic behaviors.
Taxes: The Price We Pay for Government
Have you ever wondered where the money comes from to build roads, maintain a national defense, or pay for programs like Social Security? Taxes.
The Three Basic Tax Types
Discover the three basic tax types—taxes on what you earn, taxes on what you buy, and taxes on what you own. Learn about 12 specific taxes, four within each main category. Develop a basic understanding of how these taxes fit together, how they impact government revenues and the economy, and where you may encounter them in your daily life.
Not All Taxes Are Created Equal
Discover why there are better and worse ways for governments to raise a dollar of revenue. Compare the economic impact of the three basic tax types—taxes on what you earn, buy, and own—including three specific taxes within each category. Learn about the basics of “dynamic scoring,” one tool economists can use to compare the economic and revenue impact of different tax policies.
10 Common Tax Myths, Debunked
Identify some of the most common tax myths and tax policy misconceptions and learn how to separate fact from fiction. Discover why tax refunds shouldn’t be celebrated, why you should pay your income tax bill, and why certain deductions are wrongly labeled “loopholes,” among other useful facts. Improve your ability to counter misleading arguments about the tax code.
Case Study: Average vs. Marginal Tax Rates
A graduated rate income tax system results in a taxpayer’s effective income tax rate, or the percentage of their income paid in taxes, increasing as their income increases. Learn about the difference between average and marginal tax rates and how each impacts taxpayers’ liability and the economy.