Do I have to show my ex-husbands tax returns to get financial aid even though I'm divorced?

Question

I don't understand why Fafsa and TAP are asking me for my ex-husband's 2007 tax returns even though we separated in the beginning of 2007 and officially divorced in 2008---I do not receive any financial assistance from him and we had no assets --If anything, he probably claimed his new gf and baby as dependents on his return, not me--We did not split up under good terms so I doubt that he'll just hand over that information--Is he legally obligated to do so? I can't seem to find a straight answer to this question anywhere.

Answer 1

since you were still legally married in 2007, his return counts towards your income. I know it sucks.

Answer 2

TALK TO A CONSELOR AT THE COLLEGE. BUT MORE THAN LIKELY YOU WIL STILL NEED TO PROVIDE IT B/C IN 2007 YOU WERE MARRIED. NEXT YEAR WHEN FILING FOR 2008 THEY WON'T ASK FOR IT

Answer 3

If he is indeed your ex-husband, and you are not receiving financial assistance from him, you could make an issue that you have no access to his financial records, which should be a true statement, even if you did have access. A judge has declared you to be two seperate entities from here on out.

If you were still married in 2007, you've got an obligation to provide the info, even though you may have not received his financial support at that time. This may even help your position. He is legally obligated to provide your tax information. But you can also get copies of your filed returns from the IRS if he doesn't wish to partake and that may be the easier route to take. You may even have to provide some of his 2008 tax returns. And give em' a copy of your divorce papers delineating where the money went and who paid for what.

Present your case and don't hold things back. Show everything up front and it'll be smoother sailing for the future. Even an early denial is grounds and evidence to build a better case for you to ultimately receive student aid.

You must be persistant. And remember that student loans have some of the highest default rates of any other type of loan granted. They have strict underwriting rules for a reason.

Smile and tell em', "Oh I WANT you to have that information but I'm facing some roadblocks...can you help me?"

Answer 4

Call the IRS to get them.  I believe the number and email is on the IRS site.  I think it is a technicality too.  This way, if he claimed them, you have proof he did not claim you.  I'd send them a copy of the divorce decree too.

Answer 5

yes

Answer 6

You were still married in 2007, it's a technicality.  Regrettably, a technicality still counts where government money is concerned.

Answer 7

Make sure that you checked "Divorced" on the FAFSA sheet when applying.

Answer 8

Have you filled out the forms already?  Then you are stuck.

If you have not filled out the forms, I would say you are unmarried. The justification for this is from your information, you are considered unmarried for tax purposes.

Answer 9

If you were still with him during the period of 2007 and filed your taxes together then it is required by law to show total earned income so they can base your aid on what you were earning.Key word(were). If you filed separate then you can waive this right. You must factor in legal spousal support and or child support. It is the law.

Answer 10

When filling out my FASFA it asked if I was married, divorce, seperated, etc. Although I was married I filed out seperated and they did not require his tax returns. Unless a new rule as been put into place I didn't have to do that. You shouldn't be responsible for a household that you were not a part of. And no one can claim you on a tax return unless you resided there at least 6 months!!!! Look back over it and see how you filed because one thing mis-stated can be a huge thing.