<p>I am a high school senior. I have a part time job on Tuesdays and Thursdays(3 hours each time and 6 hrs. a week total), which I will quit after high school. I make $36 a week and at most $144 a month and my employer pays me in cash. Since I make so little, my employer does not have a W2 or any other relevant documents for me. I am not going to file a tax return. Because of that, I wrote that my income is zero on the Fafsa, but I put on job on my college resume. The quesiton on the Fafsa asks how much I made in 2006 (I made about $500 starting from September 2006 to December 2006). My question is do I need to change my answer to $500 on the Fafsa?</p>
<p>I'd correct the FAFSA online to reflect the $500 income, so it matches your resume, and the facts. Even though the FinAid office doesn't have your resume, best to be accurate.</p>
<p>Then check the IRS website and see if you have to file a short form tax return-- I suspect not due to the small amount earned.</p>
<p>It's a quick and painless fix- better than worrying 'bout it. Also-- it won't change your EFC a bit.</p>
<p>If you earn less than 5150 you dont have to file taxes because thats the standard deduction.</p>
<p>That's not true. If you make more than $400 in self employment income, you have to file a return and pay the Social Security tax due. There will be no income tax due. This is what happens when you work for companies that pay under the table.</p>
<p>There's also a different threshold for interest income that requires filing. Go to the IRS website and click Individual, and click on the "do I have to file" link, and it walks you through it.</p>
<p>I just went to the IRS website to check whether I have to file the tax return. There is one question that I am stuck on:</p>
<p>Was the total of your unearned and earned income more than the larger of:
$850, or
Your earned income (up to $4,850) plus $300?</p>
<p>*My job is nothing complex. I just tutor kids after school for $6/hrs for 6 hours a week. I have no unearned income and from September 2006 to December 2006, my earned income is about $500. If I answer no, I don't have to file a tax return, but I would have to file one if I answer yes. Is this question asking me if my total income (which is $500) is more than $5150($4850+$300)? If it is, then I answer no. Right?</p>
<p>If I do put down that $500 on the Fafsa, how much less money do I get? My current EFC is 0.</p>
<p>As I read that question, it becomes:</p>
<p>Was $500 more than $500 + $300?</p>
<p>So I'd answer "no".</p>
<p>Student income up to $3,000 doesn't increase the EFC at all. So you're EFC will remain 0, and your aid won't change at all.</p>
<p>I already answered this question. If you want to be totally legal, then you are required to file a Federal Income tax return if your Self Employment income exceeds $400. Of course, nobody will ever find out if you don't, because your employer is paying you illegally and filing neither a W-2 for you nor a 1099. Technically, he's not required to file a 1099 because you made less than $600, but you are not an independent contractor. You are an employee.</p>
<p>Therefore, if YOU want to be totally legal, you file your return and pay the self employment income on it.</p>
<p>I am not self-employed. According to IRS, "If you are in business for yourself, or carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor or an independent contractor, you generally would consider yourself a self-employed individual. You are an independent contractor if the person for whom you perform services has only the right to control or direct the result of your work, not what will be done or how it will be done."</p>
<p>The tutoring place is not really anything major. I just teach maybe one on one.</p>
<p>I think I will write down that $500 on my Fafsa once I get the Student Aid Report. But I still want to make sure about something. The question specifically says that I should still report my income even if I am not going to file a tax return because my income could be found on my W2 and other documents. So, I still should report my income even if I don't have a W2 and ther relevant documents, right?</p>
<p>Yes- FAFSA asks you to report all income, even if you don't file or get a W2 or 1099.</p>
<p>alright, I will write down that $500. Since my employer does not give me a W2, is there any way for the college I will attend or the financial aid office (the federal government that gives out the aid) to know when I quit the job? I really want to quit this job and get this troublesome problem over with so that I don't have this problem again the next time I do my Fafsa.</p>
<p>Kevin, my daughter had a job her senior year which was a regular job, but she had a tough time getting her pay checks from the employer and then they never gave her the W2, event though she was paid as an employee with normal payroll deductions. (this was a national retail chain, not some small business owner). Given the working conditions, she quit after working only about 6 weeks (part time) -- she had made something less than $500. She just entered that amount on her FAFSA and checked the box "will not file" -- as legally she was not required to pay taxes on those earnings. </p>
<p>We had some problems with the college she attends because they wanted to see her W2, but we explained the situation and the financial aid department waived the requirement.</p>