Can i claim independent?

Question

Okay, heres the situation... I'm 21 years old. I made about $24,000 last year. I do not live with my parents. And my parents do not claim me on their income tax. But heres the thing. I've lived with my grand-father since i was 10 years old along with my younger brother. My grand-father died, and the house was left to be some what of a family house (Family dinners, etc). Me and my brother still lives there, but i do not pay rent to anyone, b/c the house is payed for. Can i file as independent with colleges? What do i do when colleges ask for my parents w-2's and 1040's, even though i do not talk to my parents?

Answer 1

If you are listed as a dependent on your parents tax return, then list yourself as a dependent. Otherwise, if they pick you for verification, you'll have to submit those papers.

If you have to submit those papers, just do it. It's your education.

If you don't live with them and all of that, why are they still claiming you? I know you can claim someone til they are 24, but still.

Answer 2

Specific rules govern whether you are considered independent for the purposes of student financial aid. In these situations, at least one of these conditions must apply:

-You are at least 24 years old by Dec. 31 of the award year;

-You are married as of the date the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is submitted;

-You are or will be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program (beyond a bachelor ’s degree) during the award year;

-You have least one child who receives more than half their support from you;

-You have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you and will continue to receive more than half their support from you through June 30, 2007;

-You are an orphan or ward of the court (or were a ward of the court until age 18); or

-You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. (“Veteran” includes students who attended a U.S. service academy and were released under a condition other than dishonorable.)

In special or unusual circumstances, the school's financial aid administrator can change your dependency status on reviewing the documents you provide if they think circumstances warrant it.

Answer 3

You are not independent according to the dept of eds standards.  When they ask for you parents income, you call them and get your parents income and list that.

Or you can call and talk to your schools fin aid office and explain the situtaiton and see what they can do for you.