<p>a quick question for those in the know -- </p>
<p>our AGI is 22119, family of four, myself -- hubby -- 2 kids. </p>
<p>we have always filed the short form before (1040EZ) but this year we will file the 1040 long form because we have moving expenses.</p>
<p>does this mean that I can't check the box that says "eligible to file 1040EZ" ?</p>
<p>There isn't any other schedule or box we fill out on the 1040 -- we just put 0. no assets, nothing cashed out or deposited, etc.</p>
<p>it makes a difference in my EFC if I do this. Right now it is showing an EFC of $221 -- I know that isn't much, but if I can get it to 0, like it was last year, I qualify for several scholarships -- so it is worth my effort to do that, if possible.</p>
<p>My school isn't one of those that meets 100% need, so I pay about $3000 a year anyway, but that EFC number is important for those scholarships.</p>
<p>never mind -- i see by this link that moving expenses is one of the things that means the long form will be used.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.finaid.org/educators/needs.phtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.finaid.org/educators/needs.phtml</a></p>
<p>hard to believe that someone with an AGI of $49,000 will end up with an EFC of 0 and I end up with $221. Seems like something is up with that -- I have double checked what I put into the FAFSA, and I didn't make any mistakes.</p>
<p>ok -- just wanted to update on this.</p>
<p>called FAFSA and talked to them -- yes, I have to check that I filed the long form. still should not make a difference.</p>
<p>If combined parent and student's AGI is less than $15,000 and both were eligible to file the short form -- automatic EFC of 0. Otherwise, it is calculated on several factors.</p>
<p>Her suggestion was to go into my school, explain the situation and she assured me that they will adjust my EFC to 0.</p>
<p>If it was me , I would skip the long form to get you in the Simplified Needs category . Look at the chapter on Simplified Needs in the Chaney PAYING FOR COLLEGE book . Sometimes it's better to skip the itemized deductions on the longer forms in order to get a little more financial aid by doing the 1040 Ez or 1040A .</p>
<p>You can file a long form and check the box eligible to file 1040EZ. I think the problem with this is that when your EFC is initially calculated, it will be based on you filing the long form and you might have to show to the financial aid office that you were in fact eligible to file a short form which may not be easy. </p>
<p>Im not an accountant so if someone wants to jump in: </p>
<p>as I understand your situation, your AGI is approx. 22K. If you file a 1040A (short form) and take the standardized deduction on line 26 for each member of your family ($3200 x 4 = $12,800), your taxable income would only be around 10K and the amount of taxes owed assuming youre filing jointly is around $1000/1100. And this doesnt include any tax credits you might qualify for (child care/ education). The point is that moving expenses may lower your taxable income, but you have to weigh this savings by the aid you would qualify for by filing a short form right off the bat and not having to later try to explain that you were eligible to file a short form. Good luck.</p>
<p>You may not be an accountant, but you sure make sense to me.</p>