The document discusses the author's insights from hacking tax forms in 2003 and how those insights could inform citizenship. It suggests that tax choice, which allows people to allocate their taxes, and tax reports, which show where tax money is spent, could increase transparency, start conversations about government spending, simplify information, and help educate people about government projects through increased civic engagement.

1. “ There are only two certainties in life: death and taxes” Benjamin Franklin

2. Some insights from hacking tax-forms

3. Back in 2003

4. I feel powerless, anonymous – I’m lost in a crowd

5. I’m feeling really disconnected - Government feels far away

6. There’s gotta be a way out of this…Let’s hack something together

7. Tax Choice Hmm, let’s give me some money to spend on taxes!

8. Tax Report And now those gov people better tell me where they spent my cash!

9. That was all back in 2003, what does it mean to me now?

10. Maybe back then I just needed to get more involved with people

11. With that behind me and many new friends what can we learn from forms?

12. Here’s how I think tax choice and tax report can help out being a citizen

13. Transparency: It shows where individual tax contributions go.

14. Transparency: It shows where individual tax contributions go.

15. It starts a conversation: “tax-choice” engages people. Where did you spend yours?

16. Simplicity: Show what numbers mean

17. Learn: Provides social glue to inform people about running gov. projects

18. lifesizedATgmail.com www.lifesized.net James Burke Thanks!