I had about 11K in earnings this year. Do I have to file separate tax return from my parents? Do they still list me as a dependent? If yes, do I list myself as a dependent on my tax return as well? Do I just add my earnings to my parents earnings for CSS profile?
Yes you need to file your own tax return. You have earned over the threshold to not do so.
For the financial aid applications…your income goes in the student income section…and your parents’ goes in the parent section. You do not add them together.
Same with assets…yours go in the student section…parent assets go in the parent section.
Yes your parents can still list you as a dependent…well…how old are you? And do you still reside with your parents when not in college?
Thank you @thumper1 I am 17. So for tax form I will be a dependent on my parents return and on my own?
Yes you’ll be a dependent but you have to file taxes. It’s not hard with Turbo Tax or other software.
On your tax return, usually a 1040EZ if you only had income from work on a W2, it will ask if you are single and if you can be claimed as a dependent by someone else. You will answer “yes”.
You will have the standard deduction of $6300 for a single person, but not your personal exemption, your parents will.
Thank you @mommdc I will have 1099. I am a freelancer.
If you are self employed…I’m not sure you can do a 1040EZ or 1040A.
@thumper1 is correct. You’ll have to use the form 1040, but you won’t have much to enter.
I suggest you get some tax help. The above advice is about half right. Too much to go into on a forum. Turbotax might be the answer.
I hope you saved some of that money. You’re about to find out how well 
our country treats the self-employed.
You will need to file Schedule C with your 1040 and also pay 15.3% self-employment tax in addition to federal and possibly state income tax. Could owe $2k or more.
Wasn’t sure if OP made enough, but the floor is lower than I thought: https://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10022.pdf
You should get help from a tax person. For business incomes , either Schedule C or Schedule CEZ with 1040
For hobby incomes, line 21 of 1040. 8615 may be required.
Not sure $11,000 would qualify as “hobby earnings”.
Thank you everyone!