Entering the World of WorkChapter 13:
Your Paycheck and Your TaxesSmart TipsReal-World Connection
Follow these steps to prepare your outline.
- On a computer, go to a search engine
- Go to the search bar and type in http://www.IRS.gov.
- Click on “Go.”
- Click on “IRS e-file.”
- Click on “e-file for Individual Taxpayers.”
- Click on “Filing Your Taxes Was Never Easier.”
- Read “Individual e-file Program Overview.”
- Read again and take notes.
- Compare your notes with your partner's notes.
- Together write a brief summary by expanding your notes.
Point of View
Follow these steps to create a personal tax file system.
- Purchase five file folders. You may choose to use a different color for each file. In place of file folders, you can use a regular piece of notebook paper. Fold one end nearly to the top of the other. Leave some space at the top to write the names of your files.
- Use the following names for your folders:
- Pay stubs
- W-2 forms
- W-4 forms
- Insurance information
- Tax information
- Miscellaneous information
- Place your new files in an open shoebox or another similar box. Place your records in the proper folders.
- When you need to fill out your tax forms, you have everything you need in your tax filing system
Making Good Choices
Think about how you feel about honesty. Think about how you feel about what decision Melissa should make. She may cheat and never get caught. She may cheat and get caught. How would you feel if you cheated, even if you never got caught? Cheating is never the right thing to do. Even if no one knows about the cheating, you know. Cheating makes you feel bad about yourself.
Some people think it is okay to cheat on their income tax because they do not think they will get caught. Some people think it is okay to cheat the government, because the government is so big. Cheating the government means less money for the needs of the country. It is also a federal crime. Melissa should report the correct mileage. Honesty is always the best policy.  | 
