<p>What is the "federal income tax return (signed, with all schedules, attachments, W-2s, and other earnings statements" consist of? Just my parents (or my) federal tax return sheet that is signed with a copy of my W-2 as well? What are the "schedules, attachments, and other earnings statements" it is talking about? Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>Yeah, it’s your parents’ (and yours, if you filed) tax return forms. Also any other forms beside the basic 1040 (or 1040A or 1040EZ) that you had to send to the IRS. For people that itemize this might include the Schedule A, for example. Or any other schedules or attachments that you sent in to the IRS with your tax return. And then W2 forms, 1099 and 1098 forms, and any other statements of earnings.</p>
<p>Asking for these verification documents is very common. Just send them what they ask for and you’ll be set.</p>
<p>If your parents have business income they may have a Schedule C - and they may have a Schedule E. If they have a Schedule E, they may have forms that go with that, too. Basically, anything that would be sent in to the IRS with the federal tax return needs to be submitted.</p>
<p>In the verification process, does the FA just compare the information from your tax return and/or W2 to the information that was entered on FAFSA, or do they actually submit a request to the IRS and verify the info that way?</p>
<p>The information is verified using your tax return. Sometimes financial aid officers will require a tax transcript from the IRS; this is done if there is some reason to doubt the authenticity of a tax return.</p>