Programs that are funded by taxes include most major government services such as public schools, roads and highways, the military, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, police and fire services, and public libraries.

What taxes usually fund

  • Public education (K–12 public schools, some higher‑education support and grants).
  • Transportation infrastructure like roads, highways, bridges, and much public transit.
  • National defense and the military , including personnel, equipment, and operations.
  • Social insurance programs such as Social Security and Medicare, funded mainly through dedicated payroll taxes.
  • Health programs like Medicaid, CHIP, and public health initiatives.
  • Public safety services such as police, fire departments, and emergency services.
  • Public assistance programs like unemployment insurance and SNAP (food assistance).
  • Community services such as public libraries, parks, and recreation facilities.

How this answers “which of the following…?”

In typical quiz or textbook questions with this wording, the programs funded by taxes among the options are things like:

  • Public schools
  • Roads and highways
  • The military
  • Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid
  • Police and fire departments

By contrast, private businesses (for example, bookstores, most amusement parks, and other for‑profit companies) are generally not “programs funded by taxes,” even though they may pay taxes or occasionally receive subsidies.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.