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Taxes

What gets taken from your paycheck and why, plus how to get money back at filing time.

Level 1 — Starter

Why Taxes Exist

L1 · Starter

What taxes are and where they go. Sales tax. Why your paycheck is smaller than expected.

Level 2 — Builder

Brackets and Paperwork

L2 · Builder

Federal income tax brackets (how marginal rates actually work — most people get this wrong). W-4 and W-2 forms. State vs. federal taxes.

Level 3 — Leveler

How to File Taxes

L3 · Leveler

Filing a tax return (1040 walkthrough). Standard deduction vs. itemizing. Tax credits vs. deductions — which is worth more. Common credits teens should know (Earned Income Tax Credit, education credits).

Level 4 — Challenger

Self-Employed and Gig Taxes

L4 · Challenger

Self-employment taxes (1099 income, quarterly estimated taxes, Schedule SE). Gig economy tax obligations. How to track deductions. Tax software vs. professional help.

Level 5 — Boss

How the Wealthy Beat Taxes

L5 · Boss

How the tax code benefits the wealthy (capital gains vs. income tax rates, carried interest loophole, tax-loss harvesting). Corporate tax avoidance strategies. The argument for and against different tax systems. How to legally minimize your tax burden.