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CSS/Financial Aid Profile - Parents have different forms

GotJamsGotJams 3 replies2 threads New Member
in Financial Aid & Scholarships
Hey, so I've been working on my CSS financial aid profile and I'm doing the tax part for my parents. However, they both filed separate tax forms AND the type of form they did is different as well.
My dad filed the 1040

My mom filed the 1040EZ

So, in the part where it says "Select the type of federal income tax return the student's parents filed, or will file, for 2017", which do I choose? On the sidebar question thing it said to choose the more complex one. But, what makes it complex? Does it mean like the longer one or is it referring to the form that has the most information filled out? Because my dad has a longer form but my mom has more numbers involved....
8 replies
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Replies to: CSS/Financial Aid Profile - Parents have different forms

  • blossomblossom 10378 replies9 threads Senior Member
    Are your parents married to each other? If not, which parent do you live with?
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  • GotJamsGotJams 3 replies2 threads New Member
    They are not married together, they only live together. I live with both of them.
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  • BelknapPointBelknapPoint 4952 replies19 threads Senior Member
    The 1040 is more complex than the 1040EZ. EZ stands for "easy." Get it?
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  • GotJamsGotJams 3 replies2 threads New Member
    What do I put for the part that says "Select the student's parents' federal tax filing status for 2017"?
    Because my parents aren't married, and they both filed different forms.
    The options that it gives me are:
    -Married, filing joint return
    -Head of household
    -Single
    -Married, filing separate returns
    -Qualified widower with dependent child
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  • SybyllaSybylla 4885 replies59 threads Senior Member
    What did they file as? Ask them.
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  • thumper1thumper1 78247 replies3524 threads Senior Member
    edited December 2018
    I would put 1040. It’s the more complex of the two tax forms. The bulk of your support probably came from the parent who filed that 1040 as well.

    In terms of filing status...ask your parents what they checked off on the tax returns they filed. Since they are not married, I would guess...single or maybe H of H...but you need to ask your parents...or LOOK at the 2017 tax returns. Where are you getting all of the info for the FAFSA form?

    Just so you know...both parent incomes and assets belong on your FAFSA because you all live together. Because they aren’t married, and filed separate returns, you will not be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool with your FAFSA. So...both of your parents should order a tax transcript....NOW.
    edited December 2018
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  • GotJamsGotJams 3 replies2 threads New Member
    My dad filed it as Head of Household
    My mom said she was single...
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  • thumper1thumper1 78247 replies3524 threads Senior Member
    @kelsmom

    What does this kid do??
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