<p>Is that how it works? You can live full time with both parents, but the person with the low income parent gets to be the “custodial parent,” EVEN THOUGH the mom pays all the bills??? Somehow, I don’t think that’s how it works…even if the dad is claiming you on his taxes.</p>
<p>But…even if that’s true…I don’t think that you get to just put your dad’s income on the FAFSA. At a minimum, you have to include the amount that your mom pays for you and your dad’s upkeep. That sounds like rent, utilities, food, etc. must be added to the FAFSA.</p>
<p>No, that’s not how it works. The parent who claims you as a deduction on their taxes is not the way the custodial parent is determined. In your situation, since you live with both, the custodial parent is the one who contributes the most money to support you. That would be your mother.</p>
<p>If your mom will not make her tax documents available to you to submit for financial aid, then your only options would be to do the taxes yourself as has been suggested, or to explain your situation to the colleges’ financial aid office and throw yourself on their mercy. (Although, if I was you I wouldn’t expect a good outcome from that.)</p>
<p>For FAFSA if you live with them both then the one providing the most support is the one you are supposed to report on FAFSA. It makes no difference who claimed you as a dependent on taxes.</p>
<p>This is not answering your aid question but I wanted to add that you might be surprised at the rifts that most of us have with our kids. You’re right…we don’t live in your house. It might be absolutely awful. But, even if that’s true…you need their help right now. I fight with my daughter night and day. I’m a great parent (IMO), and she’s an even better daughter - BUT…we’re all at that point in life where nature is “helping” us pull apart from each other. This was my daughter’s view of the situation…and I thought quite insightful. And, for most, it’s a TOUGH transition. As parents, we’re pretty much “done cooking” our kids, but they’re still under our roof and finances…so there are still rules to be followed and we’re tweaking those last character traits. For you - sounds VERY hard, to be sure. You have a Pop in the basement, we’ve never had one at our house. I’ve survived a lot of things in my childhood…so just tough this out, work really hard to get their help to GET this education so you can get on your own and make your own life. This is one of the last few things you’ll have to “suck up”. Good luck to ya.</p>
<p>The parent who claims you as a deduction on their taxes is not the way the custodial parent is determined. In your situation, since you live with both, the custodial parent is the one who contributes the most money to support you. That would be your mother.</p>
<p>Thanks, that’s kind of what I thought. Glad that someone who knows the rules chimed in.</p>
<p>So…sounds like **antonioray **needs to do his FAFSA again (or however this would be fixed).</p>
<p>At our IRS office, you can get an IRS agent to do the tax form for you if the income is under $40K a year. But one has to make an appointment and those are booking up fast. </p>
<p>Many communities have retired accountants that will assist – ask at your local public library and local senior center. </p>
<p>You can ask your mom for the 2008 taxes and her current W2 form (which she should have received in the mail by now). Next you can download a 2009 form from IRS.gov and fill it out using the 2008 form as a template. You may be able to figure it out your self or with just a little help. </p>
<p>I would also suggest you get Emotional Blackmail by Susan Forward. It’s a slim book that is all about how people push each other’s buttons and how to set boundaries and be effective. Your mom is definitely using this tax form stuff as a way to get to you – I don’t know what your behavior/choices are or have been but maybe you could trade her something she wants so that you can get this tax stuff conquered. It is up to you what that would be. Sometimes it is worth a little extra tongue biting or self restraint if it gets you down the road. </p>
<p>Even if you have to pay $50 or so for a more advanced version of tax preparation software, that is less than an accountant would charge. A good software program asks all the questions that could apply. Unless there is something else going on with your mother, she might appreciate the help and the savings if you could do this for her, particularly if you offer nicely. </p>
<p>Also, if a taxpayer owes taxes, penalties and interest will apply if they are not paid by April 15, even if an extension is requested. If a taxpayer is due a refund, it is certainly better to receive it now than to wait until after April 15. </p>