<p>A lot of schools want the FAFSA filed by February 1st and my family's income tax returns for 2009 and the W-2 forms for 2009 won't be in by then. Am I able to use the tax returns from 2008? I know we have to mail FAFSA some paperwork too, am I supposed to mail the paperwork from 2008?
When the 2009 information is in should I just correct all the information and then mail the new paperwork?</p>
<p>Yes you can estimate income. You can use 2008 taxes, but if you know there are big differences in 2009 then adjust your estimates to reflect that. You have to put “will file” for the question about whether you have done returns, then go back and correct it all as soon as your taxes are done.</p>
<p>You don’t mail any paperwork to FAFSA at all. FAFSA is just a form you complete that calculates your EFC and sends a report to your school. Any requires paperwork is by the school. You need to check with each school for what they require. Many do not ask for copies of tax returns unless your FAFSA is selected by them for verification. Then they will want the actual 2009 tax returns. They can’t verify using estimated figures.</p>
<p>thank you so much!</p>