Nakia Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 I had the opportunity to hang out with some teens this week, and another adult in our group mentioned the IRS. Not one of the teens (aged 15-16) knew what the IRS is. I was shocked. I knew what it was at that age because I had a job, lol. Isn't this something teens that age should know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristinaBreece Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Ok. A poll of my three teenage brothers suggests that kids that age should know what the IRS is. And they're not even employed teens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 I would think so, but we were self-employed for many years. It gets talked about....:D Doesn't surprise me. Today at work only one other person at dh's job could name the CURRENT vice-president. He and the other person were flabbergasted. It's a small group and it's a paycheck (read: lousy job), but wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Mine does. When asked what they do, he responded, "harass people". Yep, he knows the IRS:lol:. Found out the other day he had no idea who Bach was though. That was a shocker. All 3 girls knew. He just wasn't interested when we covered musical people.:confused::glare::tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Ds filed his taxes for the first time when he was 13yo. He definitely knows. Plus dh does our taxes as well as his mother's taxes himself so my 14yo knows as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in CA Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Well, my 16yo son has a job, so if he didn't know before, he does now! And my 15yo reads the Wall Street Journal for fun, so he knows too. The average teen? I would be surprised if they know ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Ds17 took college economics at 16yo, so I assume he knows....I will have to ask him when he gets home though. LOL He has had a job since he was 15yo, so I know he knows about taxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Yes, but her grandma is an Enrolled Agent with the IRS and manages a chain of tax offices. :001_smile: She would know anyway, though, as we handle finances as a family and she has worked with me on our taxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendi Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 I just asked my fifteen-year-old. He said, "It's something to do with money. They take your money. And people don't like them!" Wendi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy in Australia Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Yes, both of mine do (although it's called the Tax Office here :)) and the 16 year old especially, because he's had several jobs already. Both of them knew what it was quite early on because we have had discussions regarding welfare and where the money comes from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellers Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 My kids have grown up knowing about the IRS. They also know all about "back taxes". :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Yes. She's studying Am. Gov. this year AND we got audited. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 14yo doesn't know 17yo guessed right Neither of them have jobs; custody situation makes it impossible since they aren't any one place long enough & without a regular schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 My 11 yo knows what the IRS is and what it does. He's weird that way though. My 17 yo niece knew what it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelbe5 Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 My oldest does. It was her idea to have a very scary costume for Halloween a few years ago. She dressed in a suit with a briefcase and sunglasses and made up an IRS badge for herself and declared she was an IRS agent. I know I'd be scared if they came to the door! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 My 6 yr old knows basically what IRS is and what they do. He helped me get our tax papers together. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMommy Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 My seven- and nine-year-olds know...but that may have something to do with hearing me complain about the IRS for two straight weeks while I prepared our taxes! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeforthelord Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Mine have known for many years, because we have very close family members who are IRS agents. I loved it when my daughter, as a little girl, caught on to the big picture and said to them one day, "So you're like a detective who finds the bad guys who are stealing money? Kind of like Nancy Drew, only about money?" Yes! Exactly! I would find it shocking if teens that age had no clue who the IRS was - do you think they never read the news? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Mine know what the IRS is, and I think it's odd that teens wouldn't know. :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 yes, but she thinks it's full title is BIRS, bloodsucking IRS. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 My 13yo knows. My 8yo doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Mine responded, "Irish Republican... no thats not it. No, I don't know." :lol::lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Of course, they all knew by middle school, if not earlier. But I am not surprised. Considering my then elementary school child (my youngest) was able to quickly demolish the argument of 'free' healthcare while she was sitting in a car being driven to some appointment or meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spock Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 (edited) I had the opportunity to hang out with some teens this week, and another adult in our group mentioned the IRS. Not one of the teens (aged 15-16) knew what the IRS is. I was shocked. I knew what it was at that age because I had a job, lol. Isn't this something teens that age should know? My 19yo knew what the IRS was when he was 7, as did his brother who is a year younger. I just asked my 10 & 11yo, and they were vaguely aware that we pay money to the IRS, but they didn't know why, or that it had anything to do with taxes. (My 11yo suggested that the IRS takes our money to buy candy, but I don't think she was serious.) However, my "little ones" are very aware of what taxes are, and have a fair knowledge of what is done with tax money. That comes up a lot at our house, though I guess we haven't specifically mentioned the IRS much with them. Edited April 12, 2012 by Spock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 My 11 yo knows what the IRS is and what it does. He's weird that way though. My 17 yo niece knew what it was. My 11yo said he wasn't sure exactly but that they had something to do with taxes. I am surprised teens wouldn't know at least that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Yes, my kids know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Mine know, but for the last 2 years I have been trying to convince my ds that he should put on dress pants, a white shirt, and tie, and hand out cards that say Audit on them for Halloween. I told him it will scare the adults more than any monster he could think of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari C in SC Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 My 13 year old dd said, "They are the guys that come after you if you jack up your taxes." Ha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 yes, but she thinks it's full title is BIRS, bloodsucking IRS. :D LOL! My almost 8 year old knows quite a bit about the IRS, taxes, financing things, etc. My kids are usually apart of this kind of adult conversation and ask question about it, so we explain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 My 12 and 10 year olds know. I knew at their ages and had already filed taxes at 16. But, we live in the DC area, my husband works for the government (not the IRS), and I've known a couple IRS agents so we might not be typical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailorMom Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 My 14 and 15 yo do. They've probably know since they were 11 and 12. We did a year long government study. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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