How to Answer FAFSA Question #77-78: Parents Income Tax Return Information

FAFSA Question #77-78 Parents Income Tax Return Information

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If your answer to question 55 was "Unmarried and both legal parents living together," contact 1-800-433-3243 for assistance with answering questions 76-89

77. What income tax return did your parents file or will they file for 2021?
  • IRS 1040
  • A foreign tax return. See Notes page 9.
  • A tax return with Puerto Rico, another U.S. territory or Freely Associated State. See Notes page 9.

78. For 2021, what is or will be your parents’ tax filing status according to their tax return?
  • Single
  • Head of household
  • Married—filed joint return
  • Married—filed separate return
  • Qualifying widow(er)
  • Don’t know
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Why are they asking this information?

This question seeks to determine which type of tax return your parent(s) filed for accuracy.

How to answer this question / fill out this section

You must select the income tax return that your parents filed or will file from the drop down menu:

  • IRS 1040
  • A foreign tax return (if a US citizen abroad)
  • A tax return for a U.S. territory or a Freely Associated State (including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau tax returns)

You will not have reached this question if you had answered “Not going to file” for question 77.

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