<p>I haven't even started our FAFSA/CSS Profiles...and I'm not sure what to do. </p>
<p>My husband is an LLC owner in addition to being an officer/employee in another venture...our tax return is fairly complicated and we do have a good tax accountant (I'm a gov't/nonprofit auditor and avoid tax returns at all costs). But, DH is overseas right now on what may turn out to be an open-ended business trip. He started preparing the information for our accountant, but could not complete it before he left. </p>
<p>How is it possible for me to provide the 2005 tax return when it may not be possible to complete it by Feb 1? I'm comfortable filling out the FAFSA/CSS on my own, but not comfortable guesstimating my husband's business income and certainly not comfortable preparing the necessary documents for the accountant to prepare his business tax return.</p>
<p>And do I understand correctly that everyone should fill out the forms even if they don't believe they will qualify for assistance?</p>
<p>As you can tell...we are sending our first off to college.</p>
<p>It's OK to estimate on the FAFSA and Profile if you haven't completed your tax returns yet. Both forms ask you if you're estimating pending completion of the forms.</p>
<p>If you don't have any better info, you can use your '04 returns as a basis for your estimates of income, and supplement that with current balances of accounts from your financial institutions.</p>
<p>Make the deadlines. Then correct the numbers later.</p>
<p>FY2004 is dramatically different from FY2005. 2005 was our startup year for the new corporation, with income earned, but not received and a lot of our personal savings diverted to business assets. Never thought THAT would be a good thing...haha. Possible silver lining, but I still don't think we'll qualify for anything need-based. I just want to make sure my D is looked at for merit or non-need minority incentives.</p>
<p>And I got word this morning, DH will not return from Africa until late January. I'm not sure what to do. I guess I need to call each college.</p>