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Taxation and public finances

Description of assignment

  • Time estimate is 1 lesson.
  • The assignments are suitable for classroom work or homework. Two of the assignments can be completed on a paper. Make "classroom boards", especially if they are done as a pair or group assignment. You will need paper or cardboard and scissors for the third assignment.
  • OPS content and target areas: Life management and everyday coping (S1), Financial activities (S4), Adopting knowledge and skills required in society and societal understanding.

Instructions for students: 

Read section Taxation and public finances on the Suomi.fi web service.

Are the following statements concerning taxes true or false? Mark T / F and correct the claim if it is false.

  • a) The withholding tax rate indicates how much tax is levied on your salary. 
  • b) Your tax rate is determined based on the average salary of your age group. 
  • c) If you want to change your tax rate, you can only do so by visiting a Tax Office. 
  • d) You should change your tax rate especially if you suspect that your income for the year will be higher than estimated on your tax card. 
  • e) A tax return is automatically sent to everyone over 16 years of age. 
  • f) If you receive more than EUR 10,000 in gifts from the same person within two years, you will have to pay tax on the gifts.  
  • g) A vehicle tax must be paid on cars, vans and trucks. 

2. Read the section "What services can I get" at the bottom of the Taxation and public finances webpage.  

  • Browse the list for information on where to find information on tax matters including the websites of different authorities. On the basis of the list, write 4 guidelines for different life events in which the payment of taxes must be taken into account or be investigated.
  • For example: If you receive a valuable gift or a money donation, find out whether the gift tax applies to this gift and how to pay it.

3. Using the Suomi.fi web service and your own textbook as a guide, make your own vocabulary training cards on taxation! Cut squares the size of a memory game card from paper or cardboard, write a term on one side and an explanation on the other side and practice the vocabulary.

  • value-added tax 
  • tax card 
  • withholding rate 
  • tax deduction 
  • tax return 
  • capital income 
  • real property tax 
  • vehicle tax 
  • MyTax
Updated: 11/8/2023