Classroom with teacher helping school children with their work

Building Financial Foundations: The ATT’s Case for Tax Education in Schools

5 November, 2025

The Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) welcomes the government’s announcement of a new national curriculum designed to equip young people with vital life and work skills, including greater financial literacy.

The new curriculum, as set out in the government’s announcement ‘New curriculum to give young people the skills for life and work’, represents an important step towards ensuring that all students leave education with the practical knowledge needed to navigate modern life.

As the leading professional body for those providing UK tax compliance services, and with the advancement of public understanding of taxation as one of its charitable objectives, the ATT strongly supports this renewed focus on financial education. However, the ATT believes that a full understanding of personal finance must also include an awareness of taxation, a key area often overlooked in traditional financial education.

Jane Ashton, CEO of the ATT, said:
“We wholeheartedly welcome the government’s plans to enhance financial literacy among young people. But if we truly want to prepare students for the realities of adult life, we must also teach them about tax. From understanding payslips and National Insurance to recognising how taxes fund the public services we all rely on, tax awareness is an essential life skill.”

The ATT urges the government and education providers to ensure that tax concepts are woven into the new financial literacy framework, giving young people the tools to make informed financial and civic decisions.

Why tax awareness should be part of financial education

  • It affects everyone: Understanding income tax, National Insurance, and VAT helps individuals make sense of take-home pay, purchases, and the wider economy.
  • It builds responsible citizenship: Tax funds the public services that underpin society, from schools and healthcare to infrastructure and social care.
  • It prepares young people for the world of work: Whether employed, self-employed, or running a business, every young person will interact with the tax system.
  • It supports better long-term decision making: Knowing how taxes influence saving, pensions, and investments leads to more informed life choices.

ATT Recommendations

  1. Integrate age-appropriate tax education into financial literacy lessons at all key stages.
  2. Develop teacher resources and training to ensure educators feel confident delivering tax-related topics.
  3. Collaborate with bodies, such as the ATT and HMRC, to provide practical and accurate content.
  4. Use real-life examples, such as payslips, VAT on purchases, and public spending to make the learning relevant and engaging.

Jane Ashton added: “By including taxation within financial education, we can help young people not only understand their own finances but also appreciate their role as active participants in society. The ATT stands ready to work with government and educators to make this a reality.”