<p>Okay, my parents tell me that their 2009 returns haven't been done yet, so for IDOC do I submit the 2008 tax returns instead? Or just submit the W-2s?</p>
<p>bump please!</p>
<p>No, you have to submit the complete 2009 returns. When you filled out the FAFSA you needed to use the info from the 2009 returns only. How did you fill it out without them? What did you put for filing status?</p>
<p>You do not use the 2008 returns for anything.</p>
<p>silverfang, I think you need to have 2009 taxes filed in order to do IDOC, but I would check with the colleges you are applying to and find out what they want you to do if 2009 tax info isn’t ready yet.
Ironmaiden, Some colleges that have early deadlines for financial aid DO want 2008 information if 2009 is not yet ready. On FAFSA you can say that you have not yet filed 2009 taxes and fill out the form with estimates based on 2008 information.
One of my son’s colleges wanted 2008 information faxed to them (by yesterday) and then the same information submitted via IDOC once 2009 info is ready.</p>
<p>You estimate with 2008.
Then prepare your 2009.
Update/correct with 2009.
SEND 2009.</p>
<p>I KNOW it’s a crazy short time frame. I was amazed! It’s hard to have found out so late. But most people don’t even have all their actual paperwork needed to file 2009 until about now, so don’t worry…just start hustling now. </p>
<p>(some colleges ALSO require your 2008).</p>
<p>If it helps, this is probably (though not definitely, for sure) the only year you have to hustle so much to get this done so early. For us, the first year of applying for FA was the most hectic and the most nerve-wracking. Since then, we have had to meet a much later deadline, because we were renewing the aid apps. Perhaps that is the way you will be able to proceed after this first one. Take heart! Even if you have to do it early each year, at least it’s just for three more years…</p>
<p>I was told that the only way you could be flagged for IDOC verification is if you submitted with status “have filed”. If the OP used 2008 tax data they have a problem.</p>
<p>Re Post #7 Entirely not true. Verification seems to be as random as can be. I have seen people do it with “will file” status, all sorts of estimates, not selected for verif., and others who had already filed, not selected…I did 80 FAFSAs last year, and have done 55 already, and I have seen that verification is prety much random. People who seem to be living on air (drug dealing?) not flagged. Just get your taxes done early and paperwork ready in case you are selected for verification. And students, even if you do not have to do taxes, DON’T lose your W-2s as they are requested if selected to be verified.</p>
<p>Oops, I am not sure what poster #7 is referring to with “IDOC verification” but in any case, what I posted stands, and I hope is useful for the FAFSA.</p>
<p>Radimom, IDOC is CSS verification, not FAFSA. It’s great that you have experience with FAFSA verification, but that is not what the OP was asking about. </p>
<p>CSS verification is different.</p>
<p>It was a pain to have to have our taxes done by February 1 this year (the earliest financial aid deadline we had), but we did. </p>
<p>They just have to finish them in order to complete your FA applications.</p>