Can I file 2024 taxes early in Feb 2025 to use for FAFSA instead of 2023?

Unfortunately, the 2025-2026 FAFSA will definitely use your 2023 tax information. The FAFSA always uses the "prior-prior year" tax information, which means for applications for the 2025-2026 academic year, they'll be looking at 2023 taxes regardless of when you file your 2024 taxes. This isn't related to the redesign delays - it's the standard process they've been using since 2017. However, there is something you can do! If your income has significantly changed since 2023, you can file what's called a "Professional Judgment Appeal" (sometimes called a "Special Circumstances Appeal") with each college's financial aid office AFTER you receive your aid offers. You'll need to provide documentation of the income change.

Ugh, that's really disappointing. My bonus from 2023 makes it look like I make way more than I actually do on a regular basis. Will colleges actually adjust the aid if I file those appeals? Has anyone had success with that route?

The whole system is rigged anyway. My friend's parents make way less than mine but somehow got less aid because they own their house outright while my parents have a mortgage. FAFSA is a joke.

Hey OP, you MUST wait until after you receive aid offers to start the appeal process. Each school has their own form and process - you can't do it through FAFSA directly. But start gathering documentation now showing your 2023 income was unusually high and your 2024 income is lower. Things like offer letter showing the bonus was one-time, pay stubs showing regular income, etc. Will help your case a LOT.

Have you considered taking out PLUS loans if the aid isn't enough? Thats what we did for our twins. Not ideal but at least the interest rates aren't as bad as private loans.

This stuff makes me soooo angry!!! I tried calling the FSA help line 15 TIMES last year about our unusual income situation and either got disconnected or was on hold for hours!!! The whole system is designed to make it impossible to get help

To directly answer your original question - no, filing your 2024 taxes early won't change which tax year the FAFSA uses. It's built into the system to use 2023 taxes for the 2025-2026 aid year. However, each school's financial aid office has the authority to make adjustments based on more recent information. Your best approach is: 1. Complete the FAFSA as required using 2023 information 2. Once you receive aid offers, immediately contact each school's financial aid office about their "Professional Judgment" or "Special Circumstances" process 3. Submit all required documentation of your income change 4. Follow up regularly (but politely) until you get a decision Schools with more financial resources (usually private colleges) tend to be more flexible with these adjustments than public universities with tighter budgets. Starting this process early in the aid cycle (January-February) gives you the best chance of success since some schools have limited funds for adjustments.

One important thing to remember is that your SAI (Student Aid Index) will be calculated separately for each student, but using the same household financial information. Having two in college simultaneously is actually beneficial because your expected family contribution gets split between them. Make sure both FAFSA applications indicate multiple family members in college - this alone can significantly increase your aid eligibility even without appeals. When you do file those professional judgment appeals, make sure to emphasize that you have two children in college at once. Financial aid officers have considerable discretion, and demonstrating this double financial burden can help your case.

I just went thru this whole mess with my kids. Let me save u some time. FIRST, fill out the FAFSA exactly as required with 2023 info. DON'T try to outsmart the system or they'll flag your app for verification which is a whole other nightmare. THEN immediately email the financial aid departments explaining your situation. Most have specific forms for income adjustments. When my bonus made my income look artificially high, I had to provide: 1) 2022 taxes showing "normal" income 2) 2023 taxes with the bonus 3) Letter from employer confirming one-time nature of bonus 4) Recent pay stubs I got about 60% of schools to adjust our aid. Private schools were MUCH more willing to help than public ones. The state schools basically said "tough luck" while smaller private colleges actually revised everything. Good luck!!