Boost Your Tax Knowledge with a Free Learning Program from the IRS

The IRS has a free program for anyone who wants to learn about taxes. “Understanding Taxes” is available 24/7 on IRS.gov. It was designed by the IRS and teachers to help you learn the “how’s” and “why’s” of taxes. The program can make learning about federal taxes as easy as A-B-C.

• Accessible (web-based)
• Brings learning to life
• Comprehensive

Here are six more reasons to study up on it:

1.     Lessons on IRS.gov.  Teachers and students will find that the nearly 40 lessons on IRS.gov are easy, relevant and fun!  

2.     User friendly site map.  You can quickly look through the program and skip to the part you want.

3.     Tutorials, tests and more.  A series of tax tutorials guide you through the basics of tax preparation. Another feature is a chance to test your knowledge through tax trivia. There’s also a glossary of tax terms.

4.     Customize to fit your style.  If you’re a teacher, you can make the interactive program fit your style. Use your own lesson plans and plan your own activities. It’s easy to add to your school’s curriculum.

5.     No need to register.  You don’t need to register or login to use the program. You can take a break and return to where you left off whenever you choose. Just take note of the page and lesson number before you leave the page. 

6.     The how’s and why’s of taxes.  Learn the basic concepts of taxes. Self-paced modules offer a step-by-step approach to tax preparation. The lessons are also a great way to learn about the history and theory of taxes in the USA.

You may use the program anytime during the year. Visit IRS.gov and type “Understanding Taxes” in the search box. The application contains lessons and practice problems based on 2014 tax law.

For more current tax law training, visit Link and Learn Taxes on IRS.gov. The IRS will update this program later this year. The Web address is http://apps.irs.gov/app/vita/. You can also find it if you type “Link and Learn” in the search box.

Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are your Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Explore your rights and our obligations to protect them on IRS.gov.