Lesson 30: Tax and social welfare

In this lesson we will:

• gain a better understanding of the Swedish tax system: why we pay taxes and what they are used for.
• reflect on the functioning of the Swedish social security system and the links between income, taxes and public services: benefits, allowances, pensions, parental insurance and health insurance at a national and local level.

Film

Tasks

Reference material to read/see/hear:

• informationsverige.se: skatt/tax
• Försäkringskassan (Social Insurance Agency)

Reference films:

• The Bigger Picture (High Taxes and Growth, instruction 12:55 in the lesson video)
• Sweden´s Wealth Taboo (14:40)
• Gothenburg and taxes (35:40)

Look through the content in the links above. Then answer the questions via the form or by email.

1. What do Swedes think about paying taxes/ their Tax system? And why?
2. What sort of taxes are there and how do we pay them? 
3. What do we get for our taxes?