So in the summer of 2016 I worked as a waitress at a local restaurant for 2 months and earned around $400, paid under the table in cash. I never received any w2 forms and don’t have any tax return forms for that year because I was 15 and didn’t even know what those things were. I put down the summer job on my common app and the earnings on my css profile but now my css account is requiring me to submit the tax return forms and w2 forms for it WHICH I DON’T HAVE! Will this affect my chances of getting aid??? also what should I do because now I’m scared if i explain to the colleges then i or my old boss will get into legal trouble?? Am i able to still file a tax returns sheet now that its 2017 and this was for 2016? Am i able to edit what I put on the CSS even though i submitted it and just take out what I wrote for my earnings? Do I just not submit anything since it was less than $1000 which makes me eligible for the non tax filing statement? Although I checked on my colleges websites and those also require me to send a W2! Do I go back to the restaurant and ask for a w2? IM SO CONFUSED AND CONCERNED PLS ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED TY
File your 2016 taxes NOW. If you earned more than $400 as a self employed person, you need to file.
Yes, if $400 or more in SE income, should file a tax return ASAP.
The next job you work, make sure the employer has you fill out a W4.
This is similar to someone who has spent the summer mowing neighbors’ lawns to save money for college, etc. That said, I can’t advise on what to do/not do re filing taxes with the IRS. Also, note that since you’ve already submitted your Profile, you cannot (unfortunately) make edits or adjustments to it at this point.
However, ASSUMING that at least one of your schools is an IDOC-participant, the next step is for you to log into your IDOC Student Profile and view the list of outstanding documents noted in the ‘Required Documents’ section of the page. From there, you should see the link/text, " 2016 W-2 Form Click here if you did not, and do not expect to, receive a W-2 for this year." This will open a second window entitled, ‘Notice of 2016 W-2 Substitute’. The form says, “Please process my information without a W-2 because I did not, and do not expect to receive a W-2. In lieu of a 2016 W-2, I will supply one or more of the following to document my income”. This is for anyone who worked, earned income, but was not provided a W-2 by his/her employer. You’ll also want to check the ‘Other document’ check-box, provide a name for your document that you will type up (e.g. 'My Summer Earnings Explanation) and print to explain the how much money you received under-the-table. Include a paragraph detailing the restaurant situation. After submitting the form, you’ll then be given the opportunity to upload your document .
For any of your Profile schools who do not participate in IDOC, you’ll need to provide them with a copy of that “…Summer Earnings Explanation”. Good luck!
Practically speaking, going back to the old employer at this point will not help, as they are not likely to give you a W-2
If you had worked as a babysitter for lots of different families, you could have earned the same amount without any taxes withheld nor would you have any tax filing. Based on the initial post, it is not clear if you earned above $400, as you posted “around $400”. If the amount is not $400 then no self-employment filing would be required.
At this point, I’d suggest contacting one or more of your colleges’ FA departments - they will probably suggest that you file a non-filer statement, but they may want an explanation as to why you reported income but had no annual tax filing… You can honestly say that your miscellaneous part-time employment did not result in any tax liability and you did not receive a W2 nor did you file a tax return.
I don’t think there is a way to modify the CSS profile that you’ve submitted so far.
I wouldn’t worry too much about this, as you are not the only person ever in a situation like this. Schools will have their preferred way of documenting/clarifying. I don’t think this will work against your eligibility for Financial Aid in any way .
Best of luck.