What are Taxes?

Summary

This script explores the concept of taxes as a collective contribution to fund essential public services like safe roads, schools, and clean water. It explains various forms of taxation, including corporate, income, and sales taxes, and their role in supporting services for people with disabilities. The video also discusses the broader implications of tax revenue on government budgets and the debate surrounding tax fairness and government services.

Takeaways

• 🛣️ We live in a country where we collectively decide on important things like safe roads, good schools, clean water, and services for people with disabilities.
• 🏛️ The government is responsible for making sure these important things happen, which costs money.
• 💸 The money needed to pay for these important things comes from taxes.
• 🏢 There are many types of taxes, including corporate tax, income tax, and sales tax, each contributing to the government's funds.
• 🩺 Taxes help pay for essential services such as healthcare (Medicaid and Medicare), social security benefits, and other support programs.
• 🍽️ Additional programs funded by taxes include SNAP for food assistance, Section 8 for housing, and LIHEAP for home energy assistance.
• 💼 Vocational rehabilitation services funded by taxes can help people find jobs, and protection and advocacy services can provide legal help.
• 💡 The amount of tax money collected affects the government's ability to pay for these services.
• ⚖️ People have different opinions on taxes: some prefer fewer taxes and services, while others prefer more services even if it means higher taxes.
• 📊 The government's budget is a plan for how to collect and spend money, and it is created annually to decide funding for essential services.

Q & A

What are taxes?

Taxes are small amounts of money that everyone pays to the government to cover the cost of important things like safe roads, good schools, clean water, and services for people with disabilities.

Why does the government need money?

The government needs money to pay for important things that benefit everyone, such as paying teachers, building roads, and providing services for people with disabilities.

What are some examples of different kinds of taxes?

Examples of different kinds of taxes include corporate tax (money paid by businesses), income tax (money paid by individuals with jobs), and sales tax (money paid when buying something).

How do taxes benefit people with disabilities?

Taxes help pay for disability services and benefits like Medicaid, Medicare, social security benefits, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, SNAP, Section 8 housing vouchers, vocational rehabilitation services, and protection and advocacy services.

What might happen if the government gets less tax money?

If the government gets less tax money, it might not be able to pay for all the important services and benefits that people need.

What is a budget and who uses it?

A budget is a plan for getting and spending money. Both individuals and the government use budgets to keep track of how much money they spend on things they want or need.

Who is in charge of the federal budget?

The federal government is in charge of the budget for the entire country, while state governments handle budgets for individual states like Texas or Florida.

How often does the federal government create a new budget?

The federal government creates a new budget every year to decide how it will pay for important things like Medicaid, roads, science research, and services for people with disabilities.

What determines the government's budget?

The amount of money collected from taxes helps determine the government's budget, influencing how much can be spent on important services and benefits.

Where can you learn more about the federal budget and how it works?

You can learn more about the federal budget and how it works by visiting AutisticAdvocacy.org/Budget.