Theme 1: Your Role as a TaxpayerLesson 1: Why Pay Taxes?
The government provides public goods and services for the community as a whole. To pay its bills, the government needs revenue, or a source of income. The money that the federal government uses to pay its bills comes mostly from taxes. Taxes shift resources from private individuals and businesses to the government.
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Activities
 Activity 1: Your Federal GovernmentCheck out the vast scope of the federal government. Activity 2: Public Goods and ServicesGet a bird's eye view of a typical community to see how many government services can be found. Activity 3: Citizen's Guide to the Federal BudgetLearn how the federal government gets and spends its money. Assessment
 Complete the assessment page to test your understanding of Why Pay Taxes? Links
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Where does the government get the money needed to provide essential goods and services?
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Did You Know?
Taxes and taxation are often received with mixed emotions. Historically, taxes have been met with rebellion and unrest; patriotism; war; and voluntary compliance. French tax collectors were sent to the guillotine in 1789.
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