<p>The IDOC process is incredibly tedious and time consuming. There has to be a better way to collect this information. I almost told my kid that they're not going to college by the time I was finished. It's not worth the hassle.</p>
<p>OK, maybe that's a slight exaggeration but still it's painful. </p>
<p>Perhaps you have a complex tax return. For us, it was just printing out a few forms from my tax return record and copy the W2 forms. It took 15 min for me to prepare the whole package and send it out.</p>
<p>We’re like bill, just some copying, making sure papers are in the right order, slip into a priority envelope, and off it goes. However, this is my 7th year doing it 
!</p>
<p>One thing that does seem funny is that the dependent student form just repeats questions already answered on the Profile, don’t know why the duplication.</p>
<p>We did IDOC years ago. Like others said…we completed our tax returns, made copies of everything, and mailed it off. </p>
<p>What are you finding so difficult and tedious?</p>
<p>I have a complex tax return and a small business return, so I am sympathetic to the OP. I have quite a few 1099s as well. I found it to be a major pain in the a**. And this year my kid also had a tax return, adding pages to it. This is my second year doing it, and I must admit it was easier the second time around because I knew what to expect. But I truly hate IDOC (what idiot coined it “I” DOC – you would think from the “I” that it might be internet based and not such a picky, manual, labor intensive process). You can tell I am not a fan. :)</p>
<p>Make sure you only need to submit what is required on the instruction and check off the list on cover page. You are not sending in everything on the check list of cover page.</p>
<p>I have to agree with the OP - the process was not only time-consuming and tedious, but frustratingly retro in a Common App age when pretty much the entire application process for DD took place on line. We don’t have small business or farm or any of that, but we do have a half dozen or more 1099s, not all of which were ready by the time IDOC had to be sent in. For tax filing purposes just the bottom line number was sufficient, but for IDOC which wants copies of the actual paper 1099s this just builds in more delay and frustration. </p>
<p>Not to mention having to spend $ to overnight the package to a PO Box, instead of simply pdf’ing the material and emailing it or uploading it to a website. </p>
<p>And worst of all - having to HANDWRITE a social security number on the corner of every freaking page of the submission! Our computerized kids will never experience writer’s cramp in college, but I found the whole IDOC experience just miserable.</p>
<p>Requin…we made labels with name and SS number…printed out a bunch. Stuck them on the pages. Lots easier than writing them over and over.</p>
<p>We didn’t need to overnight the IDOC package. Just mailed it. </p>
<p>I think it was easier to send one IDOC package than to send separately to each college…in any format.</p>
<p>Tedious</p>
<ul>
<li>Send photocopies of signed tax returns, not originals.</li>
<li>Copy ALL forms to 8 1/2" x 11" white paper.</li>
<li>DO NOT staple or paper clip forms.</li>
<li>Send ONLY one copy of each W-2 form requested.</li>
<li>DO NOT copy more than one W-2 on a single sheet of
paper.</li>
<li>DO NOT send state tax returns.</li>
<li>DO NOT send 2012 tax returns unless specifically
requested. If requested, be sure to send them with your
2013 tax returns. Do not send them separately.</li>
<li>DO NOT send tax worksheets unless required for
submission to the IRS.</li>
<li>Be certain that each form is legible and complete (e.g.,
both pages of a 1040).</li>
<li>Include all required forms as stated in your requirement
letter.</li>
<li>Sign your tax forms.</li>
<li>Place this Cover Sheet on top of enclosures before
mailing.</li>
<li>Verify your email address. Correct if necessary.</li>
<li>Check all SSNs/SINs. Accurate and readable
SSNs/SINs are critical to efficient processing.</li>
<li>For fastest service, use U.S. Postal Service Priority mail
or air mail from outside the U.S.</li>
</ul>
<p>What Documents Are Required?</p>
<p>One legible copy of each of the following documents is required:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>A complete signed copy of your (the student’s) (and your spouse’s if married) 2013 federal income tax return (or a translated copy of your country’s equivalent), including all required Schedules and all Partnership or Corporate returns, is required if you filed or will file a federal income tax return for 2013. Do not send tax worksheets unless required for submission to the IRS. Do not send state tax returns or previous years’ returns unless you are specifically instructed to. If you (and your spouse) are not required to file a 2013 federal or equivalent income tax return, you must submit a Non-tax Filer’s Statement and supporting documentation.</p></li>
<li><p>A complete signed copy of your parents’ 2013 federal income tax return (or a translated copy of their country’s equivalent), including all required Schedules and all Partnership or Corporate returns, is required if your parents filed or will file a tax return for 2013. Do not send tax worksheets unless required for submission to the IRS. Do not send state tax returns or previous years’ returns unless you are specifically instructed to. If your parents are not required to file a 2013 federal or equivalent income tax return, they must submit a Non-tax Filer’s Statement and supporting documentation.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>etc. etc.</p>
<p>I’m not trying to say IDOC is wonderful, all of the FA process is a pain to some degree. But personally, I’d rather have straightforward instructions like these, no matter how detailed, than the fuzzy/ambiguous direction of some college related processes (eg. tax implications of REU stipends).</p>
<p>You are probably right. In the end it’s not as big a deal as I am making it. I just think there has to be an easier way to collect this information but there are worse things in life than completing an IDOC.</p>
<p>IDOC is actually a lot simpler than the document I need to prepare for the UMich FA office. </p>
<p>I agree that it would be nice if they could come up to speed as far as technology. I was able to scan documents and email pdf files to my state dept. of revenue when they needed them, something like this would be helpful with IDOC. </p>
<p>IDOC would probably tell you that many people have poor scanners so they’d wind up getting illegible documents, or that the submission is too big for email. (My IDOC package was 6700 KB when all completed, which is within most email systems but I can see how it could easily have been larger.) But at least they ought to offer the option and let us take the risk of having to re-send, with the resulting delay.</p>
<p>As a student I prepared all of my FAFSA, CSS profile, and IDOC information. The IDOC was probably the worst part since I also had to go gather my biological father’s info, which he did not want to give me. To he honest it was more work than applying to my college in the first place… and my college is known for odd and lengthy essays and supplements. However, in reality this financial aid will probably be the easiest and least time consuming work I’ll have to do to get thousands of dollars from anything or one, so I think in the larger picture it is well worthwhile and there’s is not much to complain about.</p>
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<p>Agree that is downright stupid…pretty much every form they ask for HAS a social security number on it! Handwriting in the upper right hand corner is for the temp labor that is probably hired to scan all those documents and who drop a stack on the floor is what I think! In this day and age you should be able to scan your own docs and upload them to a secure site so there aren’t temp laborers in some office someone scanning (and dropping your docs on the floor.) Its abysmally awful…and a lawsuit just waiting to happen. And you can’t even send them to a street address via any carrier that you can get a signature from…nope just put all that valuable information in an envelope and mail it to who knows well. Glad I’m done with that nonsense.</p>