<p>For most schools, March 1st is the deadline for 2009 tax returns. My dad's employer still didn't give him his W-2s, but since it's past Feb. 15th, he can still file for tax returns. Unfortunately, my mom is right now out of state and won't be back until maybe the 25th, so we won't be able to send in the forms until then. The situation isn't looking very good. I probably won't make the March 1st deadline.. Are most colleges that strict about fin. aid info?? Should I email my schools' fin. aid offices, or will it not make a difference??</p>
<p>You can call the schools and ask if there is any flexibility in the deadlines. I’m not sure though why your parents can’t complete their taxes by the 1st if your mom will be back on the 25th. That should be enough time, shouldn’t it?</p>
<p>You know, I’m actually not too sure about the process. How many days does it usually take? I guess I may be able to make it after all?</p>
<p>Unless there is some extenuating circumstance, employers, I believe, are required to give their employees their W2 forms by the end of January. I’m not a tax expert so there may be some reason this could not happen…but it’s not usually the case for regular employees at a job.</p>
<p>In any event…completing taxes can take a couple of hours or longer depending on how organized you have your information and how complicated your returns are. But I agree…if your parents have the info and your mom is going to be here this Thursday, you should be able to get these done.</p>
<p>Do you need financial aid? If so, show your parents the deadlines and politely discuss this with them. You can call the college too to see what they say.</p>
<p>It’s not always that simple. If, for example, you own a business, filing taxes can require many, many hours put in by an accountant.
If I were you, I would call the financial aid at each of the colleges you are applying to, explain the situation, and ask what they want you to do. That’s what I’m planning to do!</p>
<p>I agree that those who own businesses can have more complicated returns and also sometimes do not generate or have the necessary forms to file early.</p>
<p>BUT this OP said “my dad’s employer still did not give him his W-2 forms”. Sounds like the dad is an employee although this, of course, might not be the case.</p>
<p>Agreed…call the school and ask them what to do.</p>
<p>I have a question. I already filed my FAFSA but with estimates…does the whole CORRECTION process have to be done by march1st/2nd for most schools?</p>
<p>The original filing date for the FAFSA usually fulfills the “deadline” issue. BUT at most schools, any financial aid award you receive based on estimates will also be an estimate…you need to amend your FAFSA to reflect that you have completed your 2009 tax return and change the info to reflect the info from those tax returns. Then resubmit. Once that is done, your financial aid award will be finalized.</p>
<p>And yes…awards can and do change. When DD was an incoming freshman, we completed the FAFSA and Profile using estimates. We amended on Feb 2. She had gotten awards based on her estimated FAFSA. One school reduced her award by $6000 (her grant award). The others didn’t change it a dime. So YMMV.</p>
<p>However, I will say this. This is not the year to file your taxes on April 15. Get them done as soon as reasonably possible. If you have a complication, contact the school and discuss this with them.</p>
<p>We have an accountant and no matter how early I get our stuff in, hew runs ALL the returns that week of April 15th such that we get our return on the 14th. I have been verified many times and it has never been an issue. But this would be more difficult in terms of having a finaid package in time to make a college choice by May 1st.</p>
<p>It is not an issue for the school of attendance, but it may be an issue for you choosing!</p>
<p>OP your Dad needs to go to his employer and make them get it together. The deadline for giving W2s to employees is January 31st. They are breaking the law by not providing the W2.</p>
<p>He’s also allowed to file a tax return stating that he didn’t receive his W-2s, and using information from the last paystub instead. I know someone who had to do this because the business owner for whom he worked got put in jail on criminal charges (unrelated to the business) and W-2s didn’t get filed. </p>
<p>When he later gets them, he can file an amended return. </p>
<p>(And with respect to January 31st, this year it was a Feb 2nd deadline for putting them in the mail, and I believe that the forms for partnerships have a much, much later deadline. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a partner in a law/medical/accounting firm file on time.)</p>