<p>OK I was selected for verification on my fafsa. They want my parents w2 forms and their IRS tax return papers. But for 2013 my dad didn't file tax so he has no w2 forms or IRS return papers but my mom does have them because she worked. Do I send nothing in for my dad? What do I do? </p>
<p>If your dad was not required to file taxes, he will need to complete a non-filers statement. </p>
<p>If your dad was required to file but just didn’t…that is a whole other issue.</p>
<p>Hey thanks hes not required u just made my life 20% easier</p>
<p>Didn’t your parents file a joint return? If they filed jointly, just send in the W-2(s) used to prepare the return(your mom’s). If they didn’t file jointly, how did your mom file and why didn’t your dad file?</p>
<p>No they filed separately I think because my mom’s tax return says single on it. My dad didn’t file because he didn’t work at all in 2013 and had no income</p>
<p>If your parents are married, your mom cannot file her taxes as single…and this WILL be an issue during verification. </p>
<p>Even if your dad didn’t work, it is usually financially beneficial to file a joint return (I am not a tax expert…but that is my understanding).</p>
<p>Oh crap really? …ugh idk so all I can do is get my dad to send fafsa a non filers statement?</p>
<p>That may not be enough. If you send in your mom’s return and your parents are married and she filed single, it’s going to raise a red flag. She could have either filed jointly(advantageous to her) or married filing separately(which is very disadvantageous to her) but not single.</p>
<p>Your mom and dad don’t have to file a joint tax return, but your mom would have to file married filing separately (not single) if your parents are legally married. Because of this situation, your school will probably require a tax transcript for you mom and a nonfiler statement for your dad. If your mom did file as single, the school will most likely require her to file an amended return to a married status before they will complete your verification. You should talk to a financial aid officer at the school.</p>
<p>Guess I’ll just hope for the best :/…she just had to file single</p>
<p>Were your parents married as of the last day of the year in 2013?</p>
<p>If she is single…it is fine for her to file single. But if she is married, it is NOT something she "just had to do ". When you are married, your filing status can NOT be single.</p>
<p>Hoping for,the best won’t change the rules!</p>
<p>Yes they were</p>
<p>OK, so as other posters stated, she can only file as ‘Married Filing Separately’, or ‘Married Filing Joint’. A FAFSA EFC based on a tax return prepared with an incorrect filing status will in many cases be wrong.</p>
<p>Yeah you’re right guess I have to go see what the financial aid office has to say</p>
<p>And tell your mom to start preparing an ammended return, she likely will have to refile. She can fill it out both ways and see which is most beneficial to her.</p>
<p>Are your parents separated, though still married? Do they live in the same place or have separate residences? </p>
<p>Does your dad receive unemployment, disability payments or a pension?</p>