Tax literacy to be shared among school children through games, puzzles and comics

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), through a recently shared press statement, informed that the government has decided adopted a novel approach to spread tax literacy among children. Moving beyond text based literature, awareness seminars and workshops, the plan has been made to do the same through 'learn by play' methods.  

As per reports, the department has brought out products to introduce concepts related to taxation to high school students. These will be educated through board Games, puzzles and comics to ensure students learn subjects and topics which are often perceived to be complicated.

Kick-starting this initiative, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a series of communication and outreach products aimed at spreading financial and tax awareness at the Closing Ceremony of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Iconic Week. The event was held in the evening on Saturday, June 11, 2022. 

Sharing more information about the next 25 years and calling it the Amrit Kaal, she said that the youth would play a major role in shaping the new India. Sitharaman also distributed the first sets of the games to select school students present at the event. The novel products brought out by the CBDT are as follows

Snakes, Ladders and Taxes: This board game introduces good and bad habits in respect of tax events and financial transactions. The game is simple, intuitive and educational with good habits being rewarded through ladders and bad habits penalized by snakes.

Building India: This collaborative game introduces the concept of importance of paying taxes through the use of 50 memory cards based on infrastructure and social projects.  The game aims to convey the message that taxation is collaborative in nature and not competitive.

India Gate – 3D Puzzle: This game consists of 30 pieces, each containing information about various terms and concepts related to taxation.  The pieces when connected together will build a 3-dimensional structure of India Gate conveying the message that taxes build India

Digital Comic Books: Income Tax Department has collaborated with Lot Pot Comics to spread awareness about concepts of income and taxation among children and young adults. The messages are given by the immensely popular cartoon characters of Motu-Patlu, through their bone tickling dialogues.

These products will be initially distributed to schools through the network of Income Tax offices spread across India. A proposal to distribute these games through bookstores is also being worked out.