[hobbyjogger]

Plenty of high school kids have bank accounts here. That's not the issue.

The problem is that a personal bank account doesn't qualify as a non-profit under U.S. tax laws. So donors can't write off the donation and the kid would be assessed income taxes on the donation.

[TomMarius]

Huh, that makes it even stranger. How do you e.g. share flats? Buy tickets for a concert as a group? Buy a plane ticket as a group? This is basic stuff...

[hobbyjogger]

None of those are donations, nor are they anywhere near being tax deductible.

Again, you're focused on a totally different issue. There's nothing wrong with splitting costs or reimbursing a friend who bought you something.

Splitting rent or cab fare, etc. is fine, but that certainly doesn't mean a H.S. kid can receive $50k in "donations" in his/her personal bank account without worrying about the tax implications. That's the issue the OP is trying to address.

[TomMarius]

I see now, thanks.