Tax Matters, was originally launched in May 2009 by the HMRC and aims to give students aged between 11 and 19 years a better understanding of the UK's tax system. The website includes a Teachers’ Area with accompanying, ready-made lesson plans for each module for both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 pupils.
Following feedback from teachers, the site was recently updated to include new features that are better suited to the user. These include, additional sample lesson plans; clearer distinction of lesson plan to include starter, main and plenary sessions, so teachers can create tailored lesson plans; fully downloadable videos and images; and clearer signposting of materials to appropriate age group/key stages.
“With an estimated 170,000 young people set to miss out on further education due to a shortage of university placements, a lot of teenagers are looking to get on the employment ladder early. For some, this will be their first experience of paid work. Through Tax Matters, these young people are given an introduction into tax and National Insurance, explaining how you contribute to National Insurance and the basics of tax,” stated Quentin Pain, founder and chairman of UK-based accounting software company, Accountz.
“For a lot of teenagers the prospect of paid work can be a wonderful, character building experience that allows them to stand on their own two feet. However, it can throw up a number of confusing questions like why do I need to pay tax, or what is a National Insurance number? Often, these questions are glazed over and people can go their whole lives without fully understanding. This website answers all those questions that some may be too embarrassed to ask in an easy to understand manner. I think that you can never be too young to understand how tax works and this site offers a creative, fun way to learn,” he concluded.
