Question 71 of 128 American Government
Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
Answers USCIS accepts
- Required by law
- All people pay to fund the federal government
- Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment)
- Civic duty
Give any one of these answers at your interview.
It is important to pay federal taxes because it is required by law, it funds the federal government and it is a civic duty.
What it means
Federal taxes pay for national services such as the military, highways and Social Security. The 16th Amendment (1913) allows Congress to collect income tax.
Any one answer is enough, such as “required by law.”
Memory tip: Taxes = required by law (16th Amendment).
Quiz yourself
Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
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Official source: USCIS M-1778 (09/25), 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version). Last checked: .