<p>On the FAFSA, there is a question that's like:</p>
<p>"Will you be filing your 2004 Tax Returns?" or something to that effect, I'm not sure how to answer that question...</p>
<p>I've never filed taxes and stuff before, should I be doing that stuff now (now that i turned 18), like individually? or do my parents' tax forms suffice for this purpose?</p>
<p>plus, i dont have a job or any sort of income, so it doesnt really make sense to file taxes individually... SO I HAVE NO IDEA.</p>
<p>I have another question. We won't be able to file a tax return for this year before we need to send in the FAFSA (January 15) because we won't have information about investments and such that are rather important to the tax return. My question is how do we fill out the FAFSA without this year's returns? Is it alright to estimate based on last years and then send in up-to-date information later?</p>
<p>I'm sure this question has been asked a million times before, so thanks for being patient with me.</p>
<p>If you don't have taxable income, you don't need to file a return. So just answer the question honestly: No. I won't be filing a return. </p>
<p>If you won't have the information for the 2004 return in time, estimate and answer the question: Have not yet filed. When you do file the return, then amend the FAFSA with the correct numbers and change the answer to the question to: Have already filed.</p>
<p>Firebird, you will not be filing a tax return because you can be claimed as a dependent on your parents return. Your parents should be clicking the box will file because they will have to file a return and have signed copies avialable along with the W-2s for colleges that request them.</p>
<p>Brid of Prey,</p>
<p>Your parents would put in their best guesstimate, using old their old filed taxes as aguideline. They would also check off the box will file regarding their 2004 taxes.
Once they file they will go back to the FAFSA and make corrections.</p>
<p>One more question: should I fill out a tax return? I had around $270 of income that will show up on a W-2 with tiny amounts of social security, medicare, and Alabama income tax taken out and about $410 otherwise. I don't know if I should file either a Federal or Alabama tax return (we're not particularly interested in getting back the $3.44 that Alabama withheld :)) for college purposes.</p>
<p>no,
because you are listed as a dependent on your parents tax returns because it is safe to say that you lived with them more than half of the year and they provided more than half of your suppor.</p>
<p>you should put in in the sections of the fafsa/css profile that asks about how much you earned. Hold on to the W-2s as you will have to submit them along with your parents finanical statements.</p>
<p>The $400 I'm talking about were from churches (I played bassoon in a couple musicals) that didn't take out any taxes and are not going to be providing me with a W-2. What should I do in this case?</p>
<p>Thanks again for all of your help. I don't know how we'd get through this process without these boards.</p>
<p>Because it's under $600 they don't have to provide you with anything. Because it's under $400 you don't have to pay any kind of tax on it. So you don't have to file any kind of tax return. Are you sure you don't want your $3.44?</p>
<p>birdofprey: one thing many of us at our school ahve done is when filing estimates, use all rounf numbers, 25,000 not 24,681, so that it is obvious to you and others that it is an estimate. Then it is easy to tell when you ahve fixed it and if you redo it over a couple of session you can tell where oyu stoppped.</p>
<p>my understanding has always been that you do not update the amount in your bank accounts, etc....ONLY the tax return info.</p>
<p>if you have W2 income with deductions, I would suggest that you file. Its free to file online (search google...its some intuit student thing) and pretty quick.</p>
<p>You will get your money back (even if its not a lot, it is better for you to earn interest on it rather than the IRS) and they can even direct deposit into your bank account. </p>
<p>Before you start getting more W2 income, file a new W4 where you claim exempt (boxes such as "I had no tax liability in the previous year"). Then they wont deduct from your paychecks. You will still have to file each year until you have enough taxable income (at which point you need a new W4) but its quick because there was no taxation.</p>
<p>So im 17 years old im homeless i came to the country by myself (dont ask me how) im alone with literary nobody and ill be applying this year november but i have no taxes because i work off the books and i cant put my “legal” guardian because she is a homeless women who is more broke than myself how can i fill the FAFSA?</p>
<p>You say you came to this country on your own. Are you an American citizen or a permanent resident (green card holder or certain other very limited visas)? If not, you are not eligible to file FAFSA.</p>
<p>Speak with the guidance counselor at your high school, and find out how to document your homeless status for FAFSA. Since you are a minor it would be good to have someone appointed your guardian as well.</p>
<p>Either if those situations would make you an independent student for FAFSA purposes. Only your own income and assets would need to be reported.</p>