Payday

What do your parents do for a job?

Meet Diane, who is an accountant for her company.

Accountants keep track of a company's money, pay its bills and taxes, as well as perform other duties. If you are good at math, you could be an accountant some day.

This is Diane and her coworkers every other Friday. Do you know why they're so excited?

It is payday! Every payday, people in the company receive a paycheck. This paycheck is Diane's income. It's the money she receives for doing her job.

Will Diane receive all of the money that she has earned?

No, there are taxes that come out of her paycheck. Diane pays federal income tax, social security tax, Medicare tax, and her state income tax.

Everyone with a job in America pays taxes.

Taxes pay for government goods and services and keep states and the entire country running smoothly.

Ask your parents to show you a pay stub and see if you can find the section called "Deductions." Once you find it, try to figure out which taxes your family pays.