<p>i just received a letter from the financil aid office and they said they can't complete my package until they recieve a signed copy of my 2007 taxes. they said since i made over 6400 dollars that i have to file even though i'm a dependent. but what i don't understand that since my mother filed and she claimed me then wouldn't that make me ineligible to file my taxes.</p>
<p>lyfe, you have tofile your taxes anyway. Chances are that you had some federal income taxes withheld from your pay, and you have to file. If your mother claimed you, it just means you aren't eligible to claim yourself for some tax credits.</p>
<p>If you earned over a certain amount (I think it is $5350 for 2007) you have to file a federal tax return whether you are claimed as a deduction by someone else or not. You will get the standard deduction but not the personal exemption. As Jude says you may get a tax rebate if tax has been deducted. If you have scholarships or grants that are more than tuition and fees you have to declare that as income on your tax returns also.</p>
<p>Rules for dependents to have to file tax returns
<a href="http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p929.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p929.pdf</a></p>
<p>Rules for taxable scholarships/grants
<a href="http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf</a></p>
<p>The college is correct. It doesn't matter that your mom claimed you as a dependent. Your income is above the threshold for filing your own taxes. You should do this asap.</p>