Incorrect Tax Information
A situation that I struggle with as far as communicating with students and/or parents is when a student (or parent) is married and they file seperately as head of household. I explain that they need to file an amended tax return just to hear that I am not a tax professional. Any tips?
Sarah,
I understand you situation and have been in a similar place before. As Financial Aid Professionals we are tax experts, except in the areas that affect awarding of TIV funds. I always try to explain to students these are the requirements set forth by the Department of Education that we as financial professionals must adhere to and the only way I can move forward with the awarding process is for the correction to occur.
Sincerely,
Chyrl Ayers
This is a situation that happens very often to me. I start telling the student I am not a tax professional, but I know that the correct status for them to file would have been....(depending on the case). I show them an IRS printout and sometimes even make a copy for them.
Maria,
I think your process is a good one to provide the student and/or parent with the IRS documentation so they can understand the requirement. This is a difficult area to overcome, especially when a student or parent has used a Tax Agency and gotten bad information.
Sincerely
Chyrl Ayers
In our office, we print off a the situtations from the IRS on the qualifications to file head of household. If the studentor parents do not fall into either one of the situations, we give the IRs contact information in case they feel like they have to amend their taxes.
