swimcatsmom

Well what she did in 2008 doesn't matter. It is what she does for her 2009 taxes (and taxes for the years you are in college) that matters (I'm assuming you are applying for 2010). She will probably have to argue with the service because they are looking at what is best for her tax wise and probably have no clue about FAFSA so may have problems coming to grips with the idea of someone choosing to pay more taxes. But she is the one filing the taxes and she can choose to not itemize.

The only thing to check is whether there is any other income that may cause her to be unable to file a 1040a/ez (for instance stock sales and other odd things might make it not possible. We had a State tax refund of less than $100 the baseline tax year of my daughter's 1st year which made us ineligible to file a 1040a/ez).

applicannot

That's good to know. My mom kind of lets them do their thing. Thanks for the info.

kelsmom

One thing to be aware of: if your mom reports business income she has to use a 1040.

applicannot

My mom only uses the 1040 because she itemizes $8000, which is the standard for someone filing head of household. I'm not sure what itemized deductions mean on the whole, but I am almost positive it will be more beneficial for her just to start filing a 1040A and stop itemizing. However, since we are able to claim TANF benefits, it doesn't mean anything for us this year - it will next year, though. Thanks for the advice. The only thing with TANF I was confused about was on the CSS/PROFILE, it's just a yes or no question (I chose yes because I got reduced lunch in 2008). Okay, but then it asks how much money you received from TANF... but I had to use $0 because we don't actually get money, it's just a reduction program. I think it worked out alright, though, because my CSS/PROFILE fee was waived.

RebelCats

I don't have much help on the auto 0 talk but I am confused when you keep saying you get no money from TANF and its just a reduction program. TANF here is Temporary Aid for Needy Families and you do get a check for that. Free/Reduced school meals is not counted as TANF here.

applicannot

Sorry. This is the exact statement:

RebelCats

I know on FAFSA its just a yes or no question, I did not have to type any amount in on the 09/10 FAFSA. I don't know about Profile because I did not have to fill out one of those.

sk8rmom

applicanot, those are collectively known as "federal means-tested" programs, but they are not all the same. Sounds like you don't receive TANF, which I think is the program most people think of as "welfare". So answer yes to the group question, which is a qualifier on FAFSA for simplified needs/auto 0, then no or 0 to any TANF specific questions.

applicannot

sk8rmom,

Thanks. You're right. I have heard the term "federal-means tested benefits" hanging around a lot - but I've never heard of TANF (not under that umbrella name anyways), and now I understand the difference. So I do receive federal means tested benefits, but I do NOT receive benefits from the TANF program. Sorry for throwing around words without really knowing what they mean. That does clear up the CSS/PROFILE a bit.

kelsmom

Applicanot, your mom is using the standard deduction if it's $8000. She is not actually itemizing, so she may well qualify to file a 1040A/EZ. Look at the left hand side of mom's tax form near the $8000. See where it lists the standard deductions? If the number your mom uses is a standard deduction, your mom is not actually itemizing.

applicannot

Oh okay, that is a standard deduction. Since that's the only reason she is using the 1040 as opposed to the 1040A, next year she can just as easily file a 1040A with little or no change to her taxes, right?

kelsmom

Exactly. Just to be sure, go to irs.gov & search for "which form do I file?" You'll find out if your mom is eligible to file a 1040A/EZ that way. If she doesn't have any of the deductions they list, she is eligible.