Tri-State Neighbor: South Dakota Farm Newspaper

The “Handbook of Independence for Young Adults” has a couple of chapters missing. The book, apparently, contains no information on daylight-saving time or on filing tax returns. An updated version, due to be published as soon as I get around to it, will contain this vital information.

My daughter Amy has entered the phase of independent young adulthood and is doing reasonably well given the roller coaster ride of her teen years. However, daylight-saving time and tax returns have left her somewhat confused.

First, the good news. Amy realized that something needed to happen to the clocks between March 10 and March 11. I was impressed that she possessed such knowledge. Her information about the world around her comes from two sources: her cell phone and MySpace. One of those resources must have broadcast a reminder about the time change. They did not, however, go into detail.

My phone rang at 1:30 in the morning on March 11.

I hate middle-of-the-night phone calls. The ringing intrudes on my peaceful sleep, leaving my heart pounding and my mind racing. As I reach for the phone, I do a mental checklist of all my loved ones and wonder which of them is sick or injured.

Thankfully, such calls are rare at my house and have, for the most part, been benign. The March 11 call was no different.

“Mom?” Amy’s voice sounded blissfully trauma-free. “Do we turn our clocks back or forward?”

“We turn them ahead one hour.”

“Can I do it now or do I have to wait until 2?”

Note to self: The “Handbook of Independence for Young Adults” must contain this advice - When daylight-saving time begins or ends, clocks may be adjusted at any time before or after 2 a.m. Some people change their clocks before going to bed; some people change theirs when they get up in the morning. The only important thing is remembering to make the change. It is not necessary to adjust clocks precisely at 2 a.m. Nor is it necessary to phone your parents at that time.

The second aspect of adulthood that has been confusing for Amy is income taxes. Last year was the first year that Amy had worked enough hours to have reportable income. She has been gathering bits of information from me since January: 1) How do I get my W-2? 2) What’s a deduction? 3) What’s the deadline?

Again, for a first-timer, I was impressed by her knowledge. At least, she was asking the right questions. The bombshell question on this topic came not at 1:30 a.m., but mid-morning while I was at work.

“Mom? You know a lot about taxes don’t you?”

“I’m not an expert. I have someone do mine for me.”

“Well … Xander says he won’t get his tax return because he owes child support and the government will just take the money.”

“That sounds right,” I replied.

“They can do that?”

“They can do that.”

“Well,” she huffed, “then I’m not sending mine in. What’s the point if they just keep the money?”

Note to self: The “Handbook of Independence for Young Adults” must contain this advice - Filing income tax forms is mandatory. Forms must be sent on or before April 15. Period. Some people receive money back; some people owe money and must send it in … promptly. Income tax is not a nationwide spring ritual during which the government distributes money. Failure to file tax returns is known as tax evasion and results in big trouble. The only important thing is sending in that form - a bonus is not guaranteed.

If, indeed, you fail to file a tax return, do not call your parents. Don’t even identify them.