My father was a non-filer for 2019 because of our personal problems that arose due to COVID and he’s on Social Security (he retired in 2019). Now, I’m in the process of filling out my 2021-2022 FAFSA; however, when the website says that I can use my father’s W-2 paperwork. However, there are questions from my FAFSA that I need help on based on my dad’s W-2:
Where’s the Adjusted Gross Income on the W-2?
Where’s the Income tax paid on the W-2?
Where’s the 2019 Income Earned from work on the W-2?
Again, sorry for the weird questions. I just really need help. Thank you.
First, a very important question: Was your father’s income low enough that he was not required to file a tax return in 2019? If that’s the case, all is well. If he was supposed to file, though, he needs to do that in order for you to receive financial aid. When you list his income and say he didn’t file, it will trigger a red flag & your FAFSA will be selected for verification.
Assuming he didn’t need to file and assuming no other income from work (like 1099 income):
AGI is the same as income from work in this case (see below);
Taxes paid is in box
Income from work is in box 2;
Income from work is in box 1.
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OK! I have another question! Since my dad is retired and getting a pension where do I put the “pensions and annuities” part on his W-2 on my FAFSA? Where does it go?
Did he receive pension payments in 2019? If so, he would have received a form 1099-R. The information comes from this form.
I would have to put this on the FAFSA too, right?
Yes, that needs to be reported on the FAFSA. It is important to know if the total of the W-2 income and pension income exceeds the minimum requirement for filing a tax return. If it does, I can’t stress enough the importance of talking to your dad about filing. Yes, it’s late. He may owe money to the IRS, but you could end up unable to get any financial aid (including federal loans) if he was supposed to file and didn’t. If he really didn’t need to file, the AGI is increased by the pension income. The taxes paid are increased by any taxes withheld that are reported on the 1099-R. The income from work is not increased by the pension income, though.