Dependency status question?

Question

Which parent's income and tax info do I report on the 2009-2010 FAFSA? From 1/1/2008 to 12/31/2008 I will not have lived with or recieved support from either of my parents but I am still a Dependent according to the FAFSA, which does not list living independently and supporting oneself as Independent status and therefore am required to submit parental information. The definition of my parent (the that I should report) on the FAFSA is (for single or divorced parent(s), which they are divorced), is the parent I have been living with or have lived with the most and recieved 50% or more of my support from 1/1/2008 to 12/31/2008, but again neither of my parents fit this description.

Answer 1

Your should report the income of the parent that you lived with the last time you lived with your parents.  You should not report both parents income because they are divorced, use only one parent's income.

Also, it doesn't matter if you live with your parents or not, or if your parents claim you or not.  If you answer "NO" to all dependency questions, you are considered DEPENDENT.      

Answer 2

You have to go back to the last 12 month period you lived with one of your parents.

Which one did you live with the most?

Once you decide that, ask yourself if that parent provided more than 51% of your financial support.

If you feel it's a dead on 50/50 split than ask yourself if one of your parents paid for your health insurance.

That last question is typically the deciding factor.

Let me know if you need more help.

One more thing, it does not matter who claimed you as an exemption on their taxes.