FAFSA confusion

<p>We will do our tax return second half of January (waiting on W2 to arrive in mail from work).</p>

<p>How can we file FAFSA on time?</p>

<p>You don’t need your completed tax return, you will need your end-of-year paystubs. How much did you make, how much tax did you pay? Regarding tax returns you can choose “plan to file”. I just did ours this way.</p>

<p>Check your school’s priority filing deadline…I’ve never seen one earlier than Feb 1st! But, if you’re expecting a lot of need-based aid then you may want to file as Simbot suggested, using estimates and a “will file” tax status. Then update the numbers (but not for assets) and change the tax status once the filing is complete. I believe this year’s FAFSA includes an option to “dump” the final figures directly from the IRS, but you would have to wait a bit longer after filing for that option to work.</p>

<p>You can estimate and file a final one later. My hubby is self employed. We won’t have his K1 until closer to April.</p>

<p>I’ve always had to file it under the “will file” status and then update it.</p>

<p>Thank you, will submit as will file and then update! I will use 2009 as a reference.</p>