Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to chat with Marjorie Kornhauser, a professor at the Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law at Arizona State University about her Tax Literacy Project. It’s an ambitious project, for sure. Her plan is to make tax law more accessible (!) to the general public through a series of interactive sites, games and more. I share her enthusiasm for the notion that everyone should understand what they’re paying and the mechanisms behind our tax law and policy.
The Tax Literacy Project focuses on federal income tax but much of the content will also apply to other federal, state, and local taxes. Although the idea is to appeal to the the general public, the Project will specifically focus on young adults, those potential taxpayers between the ages of 16 and 30, who are about to enter (or have just entered) the workforce.
The Project’s web page is scheduled to launch early this year. I’ve already chatted with Professor Kornhauser about establishing a presence on twitter and she’s in the process of setting something on Facebook. They’re also setting up an advisory board to drive the Project forward and it’s my understanding that there are some pretty high profile folks signed on already.
I’ll keep you informed as more information becomes available, including the launch. In the interim, if you’re interested in helping out, the Project is seeking some funding. Every little bit counts, so if you have a few dollars to spare, I know that it would be appreciated. To make a contribution to the Tax Literacy Fund, you can make a secured donation directly to the university at https://secure.asufoundation.org/giving/online-gift.asp?fid=418 (no appeal code necessary) or make a check payable to the ASU Foundation and mail to :
Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Arizona State University
PO Box 877906
Tempe, AZ 85287-7906
Be sure and write Tax Literacy Fund (30004788) in the memo line of your check so that it’s directed to the Project.
I’ll be sure and let you know when the web site launches: keep an eye out.
It sounds like it will be an uphill struggle, but I hope they’re successful! Incorporating tax lessons into high school history, economics, government, and math classes would also help.