Utterly confused parent

<p>Ok, i am so confused, don't even know where to start. Have never been through this process of Finaid applications, FAFSAs, IDOCs, CSS or is it SCC, whatever. Hope to get some good advice here.
DS is a senior in HS. applying to some well known colleges. we got to IDOC and I am so lost! it requires 2010 tax returns. today is 2/12, some deadlines were 2/1. new set of deadlines is 2/15. there is no chance we will have anything ready to file before late March. we have filled out FAFSA on best guesses and CSS too. now we have to send paperwork for IDOC. DS does not work. there is no tax returns for him for either 2009 or 2010, but he did make a few hundred $$. The cover sheet on Collegeboard requires a long list of forms all 2010 tax return related. </p>

<p>what am i supposed to do? can someone clue me in? there is not much time left and i can't wait until Monday as this will be too close for comfort.</p>

<p>Any help is appreciated. Thank you</p>

<p>Saphira…is there any chance you can get your taxes done sooner? These deadlines for receipt of these items probably have been posted on the college websites since October. Schools need time to process financial aid applications. Schools that want tax returns are likely going to make sure that the numbers on your return match those on the FAFSA and Profile forms. Until you have ALL of this documentation TO the schools, any financial aid award you receive (if they even process your award without all of the required info) will be estimated. And YES…your award could change based on the accurate numbers from your 2010 tax return. </p>

<p>If it is at all possible, try to get your taxes completed ASAP.</p>

<p>You can call the schools and ask them what to do…but you need to be prepared with a GOOD REASON why you cannot adhere to their deadlines. Just ‘not being able to get it done sooner’ isn’t a very good reason.</p>

<p>We had to finish our taxes last week because our tax form due date is 2/15 as well. It wasn’t easy, but we just got them done and the taxes in the mail yesterday.</p>

<p>Younger S didn’t have to file taxes either, so he had to fill out the non tax filer form:</p>

<p><a href=“Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) – CSS Profile | College Board”>Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) – CSS Profile | College Board;

<p>The deadlines for incoming freshmen are early…</p>

<p>My reasons for not being able to finish is not that i don’t want to, it is that i can’t. We have a ridiculously small investment worth less than a $100 (and is decades old) that provides K1s on about 3/15. Until we get it, we can’t file. we tried to get rid of this investment, but can’t even sell the darn thing! (long story here). we have another one, also small that will not provide info until mid March. we are stuck. Trust me, if i had any choice, this would have been filed already. do i call Collegeboard too?
please help! i am so lost!</p>

<p>Then I recommend filing with what you have, then filing an amended tax return (1040X) in late March. </p>

<p>All that will happen if you don’t is that your child will not get as much financial aid as he might if you file on time.</p>

<p>^I agree, I would not delay my filing for a matter of a $100 or less item…not with thousands on the line!</p>

<p>^I totally agree. File your taxes without the K1s. It won’t be any big deal to amend your return after the K1s arrive. It would be a bigger deal to potentially forgo firm, reliable financial aid offers for your daughter.</p>

<p>You should also consider disposing of the investment. Sounds like it isnt worth the Tax hassle for the next 4 years… :)</p>