However, if you won’t be 24 by January 1st, you will need your parents’ data. You are allowed to estimate the data based on their W2s, SS benefit statements, etc. This is assuming you’re not a veteran, don’t have kids, and are not married.

The Department of Education is currently not allowed to share information with the IRS…and vice versa, so you won’t get your dad into trouble.

1) Were you born before 1-1-1984

2) At the beginning of 2007-2008 school year will you be working on a masters or doctorate program (such as MA MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD or graduate certificate, etc.)?

3) As of today, are you married?

4) Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?

5) Do you have dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through 6-30-08?

6) Are (a) both your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?

7) are you currently serving on active duty in the US Armed Forces for purposes other than training?

8) Are you a veteran of the US Armed Forces?

IF ALL ANSWERS ARE NO THEN YOU WILL NEED PARENTS INCOME

-Were you born before January 1, 1984?

-At the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?

-As of today, are you married? (Q50) (Answer “Yes” if you are separated but not divorced.) “As of today” refers to the day that you sign your FAFSA.

-Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?

-Do you have dependents other than your children/spouse who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2008?

-Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?

-Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?

-Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

The Department of Education is not responsible to notify the IRS that someone has not filed for taxes. But make sure what ever data you do submit on the FAFSA is correct. Meaning if your mom filed one thing on a tax form yet you report something different on the FAFSA. Verification on the FAFSA is done on 30% of applications submitted to the Dept. of Ed. Some school do 100% verification if they choose to do so.

Your mom is retired but if she makes any income that she is obligated to report to the IRS then that info may have to be included in the FAFSA. The FAFSA is pretty specific as to what is considered income and what is not.

This link below will allow you to view an electronic version of a paper FAFSA. Review the section on parent income.

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fafsaws78c.pdf

Hope this helps.