<p>I've just started to fill out the FAFSA and CSS profile and they want the 2011 income tax return information. Unfortunately, I only have the 2010 and won't be getting the 2011 until March when these two things are due. What am I supposed to do? I know the site says to estimate, but that seems a bit sketchy... My parents don't know much about these things (my grandpa helps them with their taxes but I won't be able to ask him for help) so I'm kind of on my own with this.</p>
<p>You have to estimate, you can’t wait. </p>
<p>Take last year’s numbers and input those, with any additional increases you might expect (ie, bonuses, increased wages, etc.)</p>
<p>Go and correct them AFTER you have all the forms filed. </p>
<p>Waiting will put you to the back of the line for financial aid.</p>
<p>The 2012-2013 FAFSA will be available for online submission on January 1, 2012. You should do it in keeping with the deadline for the schools to which you are applying. If the school has a January deadline…here’s what you do.</p>
<p>File your FAFSA using a “will file” status which means you WILL file your taxes but have not yet done so. Use the BEST possible estimates based on your end of year pay stubs, interest statements etc. Then submit it to the school(s).</p>
<p>Do your taxes as soon as reasonably possible after Feb 1 when you have all of your 2011 documentation. Go back IN to the FAFSA website and amend your FAFSA to reflect the figures from your 2011 completed tax return and resubmit to the college(s). Change your status to “taxes completed”. </p>
<p>This is the year you want to get your taxes done as soon as possible. It is NOT the year to wait until April 15th to complete your taxes.</p>
<p>You can do the same with the CSS Profile but the Profile is not as easily amended.</p>
<p>If your school financial aid application deadlines are in Feb, I would suggest that your parents complete their taxes ASAP after Feb 1, then do the FAFSA and CSS Profile.</p>
<p>I would NOT suggest waiting until March to complete your 2011 taxes. If you have to do that…do it March 1…then amend the FAFSA (which is done online). You will need to contact each college where the Profile is filed to find out THAT college’s procedure for updating the Profile information.</p>
<p>Thank you both for the help. My parents aren’t procrastinating on purpose, they seem to be waiting on a form for my dad that’s going to take awhile, but I’ll talk to them and see what we can do.</p>
<p>They may be waiting for a W-2 form. However, people can often get the information they need from their final pay stub of the year.</p>
<p>Most W-2s are mailed by the last week of January. Same with investment information.</p>