Understanding Taxes - Assessment: How Taxes Evolve

Match the clues below to their correct terms by choosing from the drop-down menu. Continue to Part 2 or, to assess your answers, click the Check My Answers button at the bottom of the page.

The process of strict constitutional steps that a proposed tax bill must pass through before it becomes law

This occurs when individuals and interest groups express and promote their opinions about tax legislation

Where tax bills originate in the House of Representatives

Where the Senate reviews and often rewrites bills

Where a bill goes after it is approved by Congress and is then signed or vetoed

Indicate whether the examples below are part of the formal or informal tax legislation process by clicking on the correct answer. Continue to Part 3 or, to assess your answers, click the Check My Answers button at the bottom of the page.

Put the following steps of the formal tax legislation process in the correct order by typing the number that each event occurs in the space provided. To assess your answers, click the Check My Answers button at the bottom of the page.

The compromise version of the bill is sent to both the House and the Senate for approval.

The bill goes to the Senate, where it is reviewed and often rewritten by the Finance Committee. The committee's version is then presented to the full Senate.

The tax bill is initiated in the House of Representatives and referred to the Ways and Means Committee. When members of this committee reach agreement about the legislation, they write a proposed law.

If the president vetoes the bill, Congress may try to override the veto with a two-thirds vote of each house.

After the Senate approves the bill, it is sent to a joint committee of House and Senate members, who try to arrive at a compromise version.

After the Senate approves the bill, it is sent to a joint committee of House and Senate members, who try to arrive at a compromise version.

The bill goes to the full House, where it is debated, possibly amended, and eventually approved.

Theme 1: Your Role as a TaxpayerLesson 2: How Taxes Evolve