<p>My mother and I started to fill out the CSS Profile today. It asked for information from her 2013 Tax Returns. But no one has filed these yet! The latest we had were returns from 2012. This is the information we entered on the CSS Profile. Is this okay? </p>
<p>Also, her 2012 returns are the ones we should use on the FAFSA, correct?</p>
<p>If it makes any difference, not much has changed financially since 2012. Most major information would be the same this year.</p>
<p>
Incorrect. The 2014-2015 FAFSA will require 2013 tax return information.
When you file FAFSA (which will not be available until January 1st), you can use the 2012 tax info to estimate the 2013 information if the 2013 return has not been completed and enter “will file” as the status of the return. But you will have to update it with 2013 information before your aid will be finalized.</p>
<p>(the currently available FAFSA does use 2012 tax info but is for the current, 2013-2014, school year. That is not the FAFSA you need to compete if you are starting school next fall.)</p>
<p>So for both the CSS Profile and FAFSA, would it be better to wait until we have filed 2013 taxes to fill them out?</p>
<p>It is important to meet your school’s priority deadline. This may mean filing with estimated numbers and then updating with final numbers. Usually the school will give you an aid offer based on the preliminary numbers and then update it when you provide final numbers.</p>
<p>If you do use estimates, make them as realistic as possible in order for your preliminary award to be as realistic as possible.</p>
<p>The deadlines are frequently earlier for new freshman than for continuing students. So meet them with estimated data if need be. And this isn’t the year for your mom to wait to file taxes, they should be done as soon as possible after receiving all the needed tax forms so the numbers on the finaid forms can be finalized.</p>