Getting Paid: Understanding the U.S. Tax System

In order for the government to run, it needs money. The government gets its money by taxing people. Taxes pay for all sorts of government jobs and services. Federal taxes help pay for national things like the President, Congress, federal judges, and the military. State taxes pay for local roads and the governor. County and city taxes help pay for schools, fire trucks, and the police. Without taxes, the government couldn't run, so as much as we don't like paying taxes, doing so is an important part of living in a society. In this course, we'll define various types of taxes and how they impact you and your income.