Discuss tax payments, how do they empower the government to achieve its objectives?

Central government is essentially funded by taxpayers. Not only are taxes what keep government running, but any objectives that elected representatives of the people want to achieve rely on tax revenue.

The following are all examples of public resources the government funds through taxation:

Emergency services

Constructing highways

Benefits for people in need (unemployed, disabled, veterans etc...)

Taxation can also be used as a tool to empower the government and allow it to control aspects of the economy.

For example, taxation on import goods allows the government to subsidize or reduce taxation on domestic goods.

Setting rates of income tax so that the poorer half of the country pay less than those better off allows the government to influence the distribution of wealth.