My personal W2 and Tax Return forms from 2016 have been lost, but they’re required in order to receive my FA award. At the time, I was a minor, and my parents insisted that they hold on to them (which they now have lost, and I’m super irked about it).
We’re already nearing July, and I still haven’t received a package yet. Ordering a copy from the IRS could take up to 75 days. Last year, I received a very good FA package and I don’t want to have to lose that. What should I do in this situation?
Who filed your tax return? If they did it using tax software, they should be able to get to it. If a tax preparer did it, they should be able to ask for a copy.
When you did your FAFSA, did you link to the IRS DRT?
I filed it using TurboTax. Apparently copies of tax returns are available (with a fee). W2s aren’t, however.
I did link to the DRT, but the FA office has told me that all documents are required even if I used it. Pretty ridiculous, in my opinion.
Go to an IRS office and get a tax transcript.
Can you call the employer for 2016 to ask for a copy of your W2?
It is imperative that you get this done asap for you to get your aid in time.
Yes, for now you can try linking your tax return to the FAFSA with the data retrieval tool.
@mommdc I have used the DRT…
Have you told the school that you do not have any W2s? If your employer can’t give them to you, the school may not need them. Why they are sometimes needed for those filing jointly is to separate out which parent earned what, but you earned all the income on your tax return.
I lost one of my daugher’s W2s a few years ago. I had it, and then I didn’t. Never found it. I filled out the tax form using the final paycheck of the year, and she was under the minimum required for paying taxes. She had several W2s that year.
You do what you can. If you don’t have the W2, you don’t have it. Most schools understand you can only give what you have.