Web Activity 1

Go to www.taxhistory.org and click "Presidential Tax Returns." Compute the nominal and effective tax rates for President Obama's 2010 tax return.

Web Activity 2

At the U.S. Census website, find the poverty rate in your county code by going to http://factfinder2.census.gov and entering your county in the Quick Start search bar. How does this "percent below poverty level" compare to the national rate? What factors are causing your county poverty rate to differ from (or equal) the national poverty rate?

Web Activity 3

To examine the structure of the U.S. tax code, log on to www.irs.gov and click "Tax Table." Using the information provided in the table, determine whether or not the U.S. income tax code is progressive. Explain.