FAFSA as an independent

So I now have a baby so I am considered an Independent I have been working some and had taxes taken ouch of my pay check. I did not file my taxes because if your under a certain amount you dont have to. anyway on the fafsa registration is ask for a returned w2 i have the one from my job but I dont have a returned one how do i go about that?

If you have taxes withheld from your pay and you don’t owe any tax at the end of the year, you should file a tax return anyway for the simple reason that you can get all of the taxes that were withheld refunded to you. That’s your money. Why on earth would you not want it back?

Please be aware that your school may require you to submit proof that you are supporting your child at least 51%. That is a common request when the only reason a student is independent is due to having a child. Often, it turns out that the other parent or the baby’s grandparents are providing most of the support - in that case, the student is not going to be considered independent due to having a child.

How are you and your baby being supported?

Isn’t income reported from 2016 for the 2018-19 FAFSA?

What was your income THAT year?

And yes…are you providing the support for your baby…because the question is “has a dependent child for,whom you provide the main support”.

It’s not just having a baby.

You should file a tax return. While social security and medicare taxes and state taxes might not be refunded (might depend on state), you can get the federal taxes that were withheld refunded.

And if you supported your child more than 50% and can claim her/him as a dependent, then you might be able to claim a child credit. It is also easier to link your filed tax return to FAFSA than providing a non filers verification from the IRS.

My son earned $3,000 last year and had no federal tax withheld, he still filed a tax return and can now link it to his FAFSA.

But back to my question…isn’t the 2016 income what is used for the 2018-2019 FAFSA? What was your income THAT year.