:

. As parents, we often have goals for our children: We want them to get a good education, learn to swim and ride a bike, and become good workers, partners, friends and savers.

Beyond these “musts,” many of us try to share our particular expertise with them. The mother of one of my childhood friends was an artist, and she passed her skills and passion on to her four children. Or perhaps we try to share practical knowledge—how to build shelves, cook tasty meals or buy a car.

But what’s a mother to do when her expertise involves the U.S. tax code? Yes, as Benjamin Franklin pointed out, taxes are one of life’s two certainties, and they touch every facet of our lives. Tax knowledge is highly useful.