How to Answer FAFSA Question #40: Spousal Earnings

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40.  How much did your spouse earn from working in 2016?
  • $__ , __ __ __ , __ __ __

Why are they asking this information?

This question asks for your spouse’s earnings as a means to capture their income information separately from yours if you had filed a joint tax return. Alternately, if you and your spouse filed separate returns, you will be reporting their earnings here, as well.

How to answer this question / fill out this section

Enter the amount of their earnings using these formulas based on the tax return you filed jointly, or as they filed separately:

  • IRS Form 1040 - Use Lines: 7 + 12 + 18* + Box 14 (Code A) of IRS Schedule K-1 (Form 1065)
  • IRS Form 1040A - Use Line: 7
  • IRS Form 1040EZ - Use Line: 1
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