question

[Pharmacat78]

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My husband and I were divorded last November. This year 2007 when he filed the tax, he still added my name. The problem is when I fill the FIFASA, I put" will not file tax" since I have been a full time student for almost 3 years.
I did not know this until recently I contacted my ex husband. Do you think I should make a change on my FIFASA?

 

[Doctor Bagel]

I found this info on the fafsa's site. Check out the third question --

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/faq002.htm#faq002_2

Following that, it sounds like changing the information would really just be a technicality because you've already supplied FAFSA with all your earnings info, assets, etc..

I'd still recommend calling your school's financial aid office to see if they want you to go back and change anything just to make sure you're on the up and up.

 

[Pharmacat78]

thank you for your prompt reply.
The link you gave it to me says " Separate your tax information from your spouse's as if you filed a single return". I have not worked for more than 3 years. During the past three years, my exhusband and I filed joint tax. Do you think I can just put " will not file", since I did not earn a penny during the last three years?
Or will I be caught if I put" will not file" on my FIFSA?

 

[Doctor Bagel]

thank you for your prompt reply.
The link you gave it to me says " Separate your tax information from your spouse's as if you filed a single return". I have not worked for more than 3 years. During the past three years, my exhusband and I filed joint tax. Do you think I can just put " will not file", since I did not earn a penny during the last three years?
Or will I be caught if I put" will not file" on my FIFSA?

Honestly, I don't think it will make a different either way in how your financial aid is calculated. Since you're divorced, your ex's earnings and assets aren't going to be used against you, and you have to disclose your earnings (I'm guessing pretty much $0) and assets anyway.

Technically since a tax form was filed in your name, I guess I'd go ahead and change the FAFSA -- it's super easy to do online, and it sounds like you'd only have to change your answer to that one question. If you don't get picked for verification, you won't get "caught," but I guess it could be a pain if you do get picked for verification and don't change it. I believe they verify around 1/3 of applicants, but I'm not sure.

Editing to add that I'd also suggesting hitting your husband up for some of the tax return he got, since it's technically yours, too, since it's a joint filing and all. 🙂