Have a discussion with your parents about how they organize their tax information for the current tax year. Is there a special system they have for saving receipts and important tax documents so they are orderly and accessible for tax preparation? How do they keep track of all of their tax-related events? Do an Internet search on IRS tax audit procedures, rules, rights, and regulations (www. irs. gov). You might also arrange to interview a tax accountant about tax audits. Prepare a written report on some of the major facts people should know about tax audits. Discuss with your teacher how you can present this information to the class.

Research tax software packages that are available. Give the price of each package. Use the advertising or product description to give specific features of each.

Every year the IRS publishes a list of “What’s New” for the tax year. Research what has been new for each of the last 5 years. Find out what new initiatives are still in place and which were abandoned over the 5-year period. Describe each of the new initiatives, and explain how they benefit the taxpayer or the government.

One of the nation’s largest seasonal employers is H & R Block, an organization of tax preparers. Do an Internet search and/or visit a local H & R Block office, and find out the requirements for becoming a tax preparer for them. Include a job description of the tasks their employees perform and for what months they are employed.

Over the years, the percentage of federal tax responsibility for the highest tax bracket has changed. Research the top bracket percentages since 1960, and prepare a graph showing the changes year by year.