You may wonder where your tax money goes after you pay it. The answer is that different parts of the government share tax money to help everyone in different ways. Let’s explore how this works.
The federal government receives most of your taxes. It uses this money to protect our country, pay for things like our military, and fund major programs that help people everywhere. These include Social Security checks for seniors and Medicare to help sick people get care. The federal government helps during major emergencies, such as hurricanes that damage cities.
Your state government receives another portion of your taxes. Countries spend money on schools and roads. They make sure that the teachers are paid, and the students have textbooks. They also repair highways and help people who need jobs. Each state can choose how to spend its money based on what its people need most.
Your city or town also receives tax revenue. This money stays close to home. It pays for the things you see every day like the police keeping your streets safe. It also pays to pick up trash, repair local roads, and keep parks clean. If you see workers fixing a pothole or a broken streetlight, that’s your property tax money.
Sometimes, big projects need everyone’s help. For example, if your town needs a new bridge, it may be too expensive for the local government just to pay for it. This is where the different parts of the government work together. The city, county, and federal government may all help pay for the bridge. This collaboration helps in doing great jobs that no one person can do alone.