I am a college student in Illinois with a 2-year-old son. I let my mother claim both me and my son because I make so little money and didn’t plan on filing. I recently found out that even though I don’t have to file, it’s in my best interest to file because I’ll get all that money back. I’m worried though that if I file taxes and cannot claim my son because my mom did already, that it will change my status on my FAFSA from an independent student to a dependent student. My mom has always claimed me and I’ve still been an independent student, but this would be the first time that I’ve let my mom claim me and my son and then filed for myself. My question is, if I file taxes (since my son has already been claimed and I cannot do so) and complete my FAFSA, will they then look at the fact that I didn’t claim my own son and determine that I’m not an independent student? Should I even file taxes? Please help before I screw myself over!
(Added Note): I take care of my child on my own. I go to school, work and take care of him. My mother doesn’t even live in the same city.
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Well here’s the problem – your mother has claimed you as a dependent. Your son is entirely a secondary issue. You can file taxes and it’s unlikely to impact your financial aid since the IRS and the Department of Education don’t share information. You should file. They won’t look at your son’s status since I suspect your mother is indeed the one who takes care of him. If the ask, merely let them know your mother is the child’s primary care giver.