Cash wages and tax
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Introduction
In this activity, students learn what happens if their employer tries to avoid paying tax on their behalf by paying them cash-in-hand or ‘under the table’, why it matters and what they can do about it.
Achievement standard
By the end of Year 8, students explain how markets influence the allocation of resources to the production of goods and services. They explain ways that businesses adapt to opportunities in markets and respond to the work environment. They describe the importance of Australia’s taxation system and its effect on decision-making by individuals and businesses. Students explain why individuals and/or businesses budget and plan.
Students develop a range of questions to investigate an economic and business issue. They locate, select and organise relevant information and data. They interpret information and data to identify economic and business issues and trends, and describe economic cause-and-effect relationships. They develop a response to an economic and business issue. They identify and evaluate potential costs and benefits. Students use economic and business knowledge, concepts, terms and research findings to create descriptions and explanations.
Content descriptions
Economics and Business Knowledge and Understanding
The importance of Australia’s system of taxation and how this system affects decision-making by individuals and businesses. (AC9HE8K04)
Economics and Business Skills
Interpret information and data to identify economic and business issues, trends and economic cause-and-effect relationships. (AC9HE8S03)
Develop a response to an economic and business issue, identifying potential costs and benefits. (AC9HE8S04)
Student learning resources
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Cash wages and tax
Who is being robbed?
Suggested activity sequence
This sequence is intended as a framework to be modified and adapted by teachers to suit the needs of a class group.
- As a class, read the information of the explainer. As you read, ask students if they know of anyone who is paid cash-in-hand without the ATO knowing.
Alternatively, students can read the explainer individually or in pairs and take notes using the Cornell note taking system. - Students complete the worksheet.
- Students complete a 3-2-1:
- 3 things the student learned from the activity
- 2 things the student found interesting and what they’d like to learn more about.
- 1 question they still have.
- Discuss the questions students still have and give them time to explore answers.