You already know where I stand when it comes to our political situation. But, our current situation makes me proud of Nancy Pelosi. As she said… “It goes to show you: You get into a tinkle contest with a skunk, you get tinkle all over you.”
The problem is that many of our kids are pretty darned wet right now.
You see, the Internal Revenue Service is closed. Don’t clap! (Especially when you realize audits will continue- but there is little chance to reach a human to demonstrate how wrong that audit may be.)
It means that folks who rely on Pell grants, student loans, PLUS loans, federal financial aid- even school aid- are screwed, blued, and tattooed. Many of these kids will miss the current term (and maybe the one thereafter) because they lack the funds they need to pay tuition.
Because proof of income is a requirement for financial aid. And, parents can’t just send in copies of their tax returns. Because they can invent any facts they want. (Kind of like how TheDonald answers questions.) Schools simply won’t accept that documentation.
Most schools demand IRS Transcripts, which arrive to citizens via phone or mail. (Or, they can hire our services which means we can obtain the transcripts in a day or so- when the IRS is opened!) But these services are shut down. They actually went offline for routine maintenance- but can’t reopen because the Federal shutdown intervened. And, NO advanced notice was provided anyone. (Perhaps because folks never expected such petulance to prevail.)
Most of the schools are looking for a workaround. A means to guess at what financial aid is needed- and merited.
I am hoping- for my clients- that my filing affidavits that the taxes I am mailing to the school(s), as requested by my clients, stating that these documents are exactly the ones that the IRS accepted in 2018 will let these kids get their needed funds. I’m sure it will be provisional- subject to confirmation by the IRS when it reopens sometime in 2019 (or 2020, if the petulant one keeps to his other promise to keep the government closed for a year or so.)
But, for the rest of you- all I can offer is prayers.
Petulance is right! I hope that works for your clients.
Me, too, Jeanine!
We haven’t even seen the beginning of what will happen if the shutdown continues. To paraphrase someone, “so sad”. People just don’t realize….and even when this ends, they probably will unlearn the lessons they’ll be forced to learn.
Yup, Alana.
Today, I talk about a bunch of those folks who aren’t get paid today. And, how they will react- what it means for their future.
Thanks for the information. I hope I don’t run into this with my student. Last year filing.
Me, too. Me, too, Ben.
This is affecting so many that people don’t realize.
You bet! And, I continue that discussion today, Ms. Martha!
All the best, hope it works for you in the best way!
Hope it works for my clients- better yet, I hope that they don’t need it!