Why should we pay tax?
I can explain the different types of tax and arguments in support and counter arguments for equal taxation.
Why should we pay tax?
I can explain the different types of tax and arguments in support and counter arguments for equal taxation.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Taxation is the primary method by which governments generate revenue to fund public services.
- The UK tax system comprises various forms, including Income Tax, National Insurance, VAT and Corporation Tax.
- A progressive tax system ensures that individuals with higher incomes contribute a greater proportion.
- Advocates for equal taxation emphasise simplicity and consistency.
- Critics highlight its disproportionate impact on lower income groups and the importance of wealth redistribution.
Keywords
Tax - the charges imposed by the Government on citizens and corporations to finance some of its spending
National Insurance (NI) - contributions paid from money earned to enable individuals to qualify for certain benefits and the state pension
Common misconception
Everyone pays the same percentage of Income Tax.
Income Tax is on a progressive scale so the percentage of income tax you pay depends on how much you earn.
To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: Why should we pay tax?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: Why should we pay tax?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the How does the economy work? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a tax paid by individuals based on their earnings
a local tax paid by homeowners and renters for public services
a tax paid by businesses on their profits
a tax on goods such as alcohol, tobacco and fuel
when government income is higher than spending
when government spending is higher than income
the total income a government collects, mainly from taxes
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the amount you can earn tax-free each year
money taken from earnings to qualify for benefits and pensions
a tax added to goods and services at the point of purchase