can the text search box include searching of tags?

Hello, as far as I can tell... No.
The fulltext search-index does include the data specified in section's General parameters.
Additionally all fields marked as "searchable".

Tags have a separate filter and template.

thanks pepperstreet. That's what I was thinking too. It's unfortunate.

Tags have a specific usage and purpose. The results are precise. The search is "less accurate".

Alternatively, you might use the field List Auto Complete. It would supply a filter AND search functionality. It might "mimic" the tagging feature.

Thanks pepperstreet. I think searching the tags as part of a general text search (since it's meant to search many things) would still be useful but filtering on tags does give a nice precise result which is part of the attraction of using tags.

I like the idea of using list autocomplete to mimic the desired functionality and I'll take a look. I appreciate the suggestion.

I took a look at list autocomplete. That should do the job quite nicely. Excellent suggestion.