<p>Hello all. I'm 28 and in my 3rd semester of college right now, I'm at a CC doing as many 100 and 200 level courses as I can before I transfer out to fulfill my major which is actuarial science. I've been able to get my tuition paid for with pell grants and grants from the state of illinois so far but I'm wondering how to file fafsa for the fall '09 semester because I haven't had a job for over a year now. I live with my fiancee and she owns the place where we live so I don't really have living expenses, aside from helping with bills and stuff, which I do when I can with money I get from helping a friend out at her shop once in awhile. I won't be getting a W2 this year.</p>
<p>I can file fafsa w/out filing taxes, right? I don't make enough money to where I would need to file, even if I file as self-employed. I know that students dependent on their parents don't have to file but what about those of us that are older? I suppose I'm dependent on my fiancee but I don't think she can claim me.</p>
<p>Advice?</p>
<p>Thanks,
Jonah</p>
<p>Yes you can file FAFSA without filing taxes...if you are not required to do file taxes. Your choice will be "not filing" (or however it's worded). However, as you are an independent student, don't be too surprised if you are asked to verify how exactly you are able to "live" with no income at all...in other words...how did you pay your bills?</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that any grants you have in excess of tuition and fees are taxable income. If you have no other income I would not expect you to have enough income just from grants (unless the State of Illinois is pretty generous) to push you into the range of having to do a return, but you do need to keep that income in mind when figuring out if you are required to do a return. </p>
<p>But, as Thumper said, you can file FAFSA without a tax return as long as a return is not required by the IRS.</p>
<p>You may be asked to fill out a verification form, on which you will state that you are a non tax filer. You will be asked to list any income you have. You should put a figure for the money you made working for your friend (there is a place on the form to list income or "other" income), and you should note that your girlfriend paid the bills. Where I work, that's all that's needed for a situation like yours (which is not uncommon for us). </p>
<p>Don't send any info unless asked for it. You may not be flagged for verification, in which case there is no need to do anything. Just be honest on your FAFSA & you'll be good.</p>
<p>And no, you don't have to file if you aren't making the minimum required to file.</p>