HI SCR154

Urges the Hawaii Department of Education to add tax instruction as a major topic area within the financial literacy graduation requirement that takes effect for the Class of 2030.

Cites the Tax Foundation's 2024 National Tax Literacy Poll showing only 2% of respondents were classified as "proficient" in tax literacy, with the majority unaware of basic income tax filing concepts.

Recommends tax instruction cover completing 1040 forms, understanding W-4 forms, payroll deductions, federal versus state income taxes, sales and property taxes, and tax brackets.

Notes the current financial literacy standards include six topic areas (earning income, spending, saving, investing, managing credit, and managing risk) but do not include tax preparation as a major component.