The "quantum" of economics is the optimizing individual. All of economics ultimately boils down to the behavior of such individuals. Microeconomics studies their basic actions and interactions: individual markets, supply and demand, the impact of taxes, monopoly, etc. Macroeconomics then lumps together these individual markets to study national and international issues. In structure this book—which covers only microeconomics—is not unlike a hiking trip. We start out by putting our boots on and getting our gear together: in Part I we study the optimizing individual. Then we set out on our path and immediately find ourselves hacking through some pretty thick jungle: even simple interactions between just two people (Part II) can be very complicated! As we add even more people (in studying auctions, for example), things get even more complicated, and the jungle gets even thicker. Then a miracle occurs: we add even more people, and a complex situation suddenly becomes simple. After hacking through thick jungle, we find ourselves in a beautiful clearing: competitive markets (Part III) are remarkably easy to analyze and understand.

In this lesson, students read about incidences of racial discrimination and how those incidences were met with methods of protests. They engage in an activity that matches programs for low-income people with the type of economic inequity the program addresses and observe an activity simulating tax payments and transfers.

This collection uses primary sources to explore Shays' Rebellion. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.

The life cycle model shows that saving for the future requires people to limit consumption during their working years and save so they will have a "nest egg" to draw on during retirement. Recent changes in how people save for retirement have shifted some responsibility from firms to individuals. Read more in the November 2014 issue.

This volume is the first in a series of studies by the Conference on Research in National Income and Wealth (CRIW). The selected papers in this volume are from the meetings of the American Economic and American Statistical Associations in December 1936, and from the second CRIW meeting in January 1937.

The link between a set of taxes and income distribution is an important, but difficult, concept taught in economics principles courses. The Tax Game simulation requires a student to set tax rates for an income tax, a property tax, a wealth tax, a payroll tax, a corporate income tax, a sales tax,and an excise tax. The student can choose any rates he or she wishes, but must achieve a given revenue target.

Use these slides to demonstrate the shifting tax burden and changes in tax revenue and deadweight loss when taxes are applied. Students have the opportunity to identify tax burden, revenue, and deadweight loss when slopes of supply and demand change.

Refund anticipation checks are often offered by tax preparers as a way to get your tax refund faster than normal—especially if you don’t have a bank account. Also, some check-cashing stores and payday lenders are able to issue refund anticipation loans. This video takes a look at the costs of these options and suggests some cheaper alternatives.

A progressive tax system is a tax in which the percentage of taxes paid (the average tax rate) increases as income increases. Income is broken down into tax brackets, and each bracket's marginal tax rate increases as you move into higher brackets. Learn how to use tax brackets to calculate income tax in this video. Created by Sal Khan.

This lesson gives a brief overview of taxes. The powerpoint has links for additional information, a link for an online quiz, and a video. There is a crossword, key, and a word bank.  

Many people are concerned with growing national debt, but according to Professor Antony Davies of Duquesne University, there are a lot of misconceptions. In this lecture, Professor Davies explores ten common myths about inequality, covering everything from the causes of the debt to potential solutions.

How a corporation can set up a tax haven and use it through transfer pricing. Created by Sal Khan.

Whether you're "on assignment" or just browsing the Web, this set of 38 Understanding Taxes student lessons has something for everyone. Divided into two content areas — the Hows of Taxes and the Whys of Taxes — The Hows of Taxes shows you how to apply tax principles, while the Whys of Taxes explains tax history and theory.

Does teaching about taxes seem as intimidating as completing your yearly tax forms? Don't worry! Understanding Taxes can be customized to fit your own personal teaching style. You have the freedom to choose which activities and methods of instruction work best to meet the needs of your students.

Teaching taxes can take a traditional approach as students complete downloaded worksheets, classroom activities, and assessment pages. Or, students can complete work online and take part in interactive activities and simulations.

To help students understand that federal, state, and local governments need revenues to provide goods and services for their residents

Students read a handout about taxes and respond to questions to explore the relationship between working and taxes.

Students analyze statements about taxes to better understand how taxes affect people’s paychecks.

Today, every state has an unemployment insurance program. This provides some income to qualified, unemployed workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. But how did these programs begin and how does the federal-state partnership work? The December 2020 issue of Page One Economics®: Focus on Finance describes this partnership that began in 1935.

In this lesson, students discover what tax dollars are used for and evaluate which tax-funded community services they feel are important.These services include libraries, police and fire departments, roads, water/sanitation services,and schools.