UNL student develops curriculum to teach high schoolers about taxes

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A UNL student is developing a program that could help Nebraska high school students as well as their communities. 

Matt Price, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln senior, collaborated with Nebraska teachers to develop a way for students to learn about taxes while providing tax services.

He came up with the idea during an internship with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

“I think for a lot of folks, especially my age, feel like the school system isn’t preparing them for life, isn’t preparing them for life skills,” he said. “And so one of those things is taxes.”

Price met with the teachers to talk about the best ways to implement the curriculum as part of their daily schedule.

The students will learn about each of the various tax forms and documents, tax credits and dependents. 

The program will also help fill the gap in tax services in rural communities, with free service for those who need it. 

“During tax season, folks would go to the schools, and the students will be there,” Price said.

The next step is to put pilot programs in Nebraska high schools. The first will be in Gibbon and Cozad, where teachers have been participating in the focus groups.