As the academic year winds down and graduation caps are tossed into the air, high school seniors across the country find themselves at the Doorstep of adulthood. Among the many pathways that await them, one often overlooked milestone is navigating the complexities of taxes. 

  For many, turning 18 brings a newfound independence, but it also comes with tax implications. Take Senior Yhaimir Eley, for example, who just celebrated his eighteenth birthday. “Yeah, taxes have always been a tricky subject for me,” Eley said. “They seem like a complicated subject with a log of fogginess around the topic personal finance helped but it’s still awkward” Now he is required to file his taxes separately, a sharp departure from the days when his parents could include him on their tax return. 

  Meanwhile, the college-bound crowd faces its own set of tax-related problems. Students like Senior Landon Fiscus, who is off to pursue higher education, may find solace in the fact that their parents can still claim them as dependents on their tax returns. “I plan to stay a dependent for a bit if I pursue my education at a college,” Fiscus said. “So I’ll take baby steps on learning how to file dependently until that time comes.” This can provide a financial lifeline, especially if Landon’s part-time job working for the Storm Chasers as a mascot does not cover all his expenses. 

  But when should Landon, or any college student, break free from the dependent label? According to tax rules, once Landon starts earning more than $12,950 (the threshold may vary year to year), he is considered financially independent and must file his taxes independently. It is a pivotal moment, marking his transition into full-fledged adulthood.

  Yet, the decision is not solely about dollars and cents. It is about autonomy, responsibility, and charting one’s own financial course. For some, financial independence may come sooner, while others may rely on parental support well into their college years. 

   Navigating the maze of tax regulations may seem intimidating, but resources abound for those willing to seek them out. From online guides to tax workshops, there is no shortage of assistance available to help high school seniors and college students alike make sense of their tax obligations. 

  So, as the tassels turn and the next chapter beckons, let us not forget the importance of understanding taxes – a skill that will serve these young adults well as they embark on their journey into the realm of adulthood.