A first-time tax-payer sits at a wooden desk, illuminated solely by a lamp on the desk itself. Sweat drips from their forehead as they realize just how little they know about the process of filing taxes. 

As students move through high school, taxes are usually not their first priority on the list of things they must do to prepare for their life after high school. More often, they’re thinking about things such as college, getting good grades, participating in their extracurriculars, working after school, or meeting up with friends.

This lack of awareness surrounding taxes has caused many seniors to struggle with learning how to file their taxes, causing stress and worry. Unpreparedness surrounding taxes has caused them to panic and not be sure what to do.

How to file tax returns should be taught in classes that focus on money and its several applications in life, such as the Economics course that all seniors must take. 

Failing to teach the process of filing taxes in Economics could lead to students who lack prior knowledge, regardless of income, unprepared for the process when it’s their turn to pay taxes. It is important to address this issue and inform students of the process behind tax filing.