IMPORTANCE OF TAX EDUCATION

Tax education empowers citizens, taxpayers, and lawmakers by providing a vocabulary to understand tax rhetoric and write smarter laws. It helps individuals manage their tax obligations, understand tax policies, and see through political rhetoric. Teachers can use tax education to make students better citizens. 

The IRS offers various resources for tax education, including the Understanding Taxes program, which provides detailed lesson plans and interactive activities. These resources are designed for both students and educators, offering customized lesson plans and downloadable components. Other organizations like H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, and Surgent Income Tax School also provide tax courses for beginners.

For those needing help with tax preparation, the IRS provides free services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. These programs offer free tax help to those who qualify, with volunteers trained to prepare returns and identify eligible credits. Organizations like United Way and AARP also offer free tax preparation services.