FAFSA: Will File?

<p>I live in California where the deadline is March 2; tomorrow, my parents are filing their 2010 taxes electronically.</p>

<p>FAFSA says it takes one to two weeks for our tax information to be ready after filing it electronically... does this mean I can't do the PIN thing until two weeks from tomorrow? Then, I must select will file? If I select will file, must I update the application or something before March 2 or am I in the clear for priority filing and can update the application with the PIN thing after March 2.</p>

<p>I think you are referring to using the FAFSA/IRS link to complete your FAFSA. Don’t do this! Once your parents have filed, fill in the information from the tax forms on the FAFSA yourself and submit it. If you use the FAFSA/IRS link you could miss deadlines.</p>

<p>First…get the student PIN and one parent PIN right now.</p>

<p>Second…if your parents and you have completed your taxes, you do NOT need to complete the FAFSA using a WILL FILE status. Since your taxes are completed, you HAVE the correct numbers from your 2010 tax return. Complete the FAFSA one time using the “Taxes Completed” status. Use the numbers from your 2010 tax return. </p>

<p>Complete the FAFSA tomorrow after your parents file their return (make sure they print one out so you can all refer to it to complete the FAFSA). Then sign with yours and your parents PIN and submit it to your colleges using the “taxes completed” status.</p>

<p>You only use the Will File status when you do not have the taxes completed and therefore are using estimates which you will update when the taxes are complete. You don’t need to do that if your taxes are complete.</p>

<p>Thanks for asking this question. I was just about to ask the same one. We have actually filed our FAFSA already using Will File. We just completed our 2010 taxes today and would like to get the final numbers in to FAFSA. It sounds like we can select the Completed status now.</p>

<p>One twist, is that the IRS said, when we tried to submit the 1040 electronically, that it can’t accept our return yet because of some unnamed tax changes. So we can’t even file the form until mid-February!</p>

<p>I have the same question as crizello. The taxes are done, but can’t be filed until the IRS has the tax changes completed (mid-feb.). I have already filed the fafsa with estimated numbers, but can I now “File” with the correct numbers, prior to filing with the IRS??</p>

<p>Thank you! I skipped the “link with IRS” option and submitted the form… on to greener pastures!</p>