18 year old needing to show proof of no income

[Tax Prep by Deb]

I have an 18 year old who is applying for financial aid and is being required to show proof of no income.

He has never filed a tax return as he has never worked. Any thoughts on how he can do this?

[BulldogTom]

The age old question, how to prove a negative.

 

Tom

Newark, CA

[JohnH]

He could give them a form 1040 populated with his name, address, etc,  and enter zeros on all the appropriate lines. 

Edited April 20, 2015 by JohnH

[Richcpaman]

Give the financial aid office a statement from 3,400 banks stating that he never deposited cash *here*.   LOL 

Edited April 21, 2015 by Richcpaman

[kcjenkins]

How about you ask them WHAT  they want to see?

[RitaB]

I think the tax return with zeros is perfect. It's all there - zeros and signature swearing that it's the truth. Maybe attach a statement saying consult the yellow pages if you want to follow up with the 3,400 banks.

[Lion EA]

I think you can get a form from the IRS that the person did not file a tax return.  Just something in the back of my memory.  But, what would that really prove?  You'll have to ask the school what they will accept.

[RitaB]

Hahaha, I'm sitting here thinking what a silly, impossible request they are making. Maybe we can all write letters saying we didn't pay the kid to do anything at our offices.

[Jack from Ohio]

1. How about an IRS wage and income transcript for the kid for that year.
2. Find a college with intelligent people in positions like financial aid.

Edited April 21, 2015 by Jack from Ohio

[BulldogTom]

1. Find a college with intelligent people in positions like financial aid.

 

Difficult to do sometimes.  Don't get me started on the incompetence of administration workers at California Colleges.  I have a real issue with them.

 

Tom

Newark, CA

[Jack from Ohio]

Difficult to do sometimes.  Don't get me started on the incompetence of administration workers at California Colleges.  I have a real issue with them.

 

Tom

Newark, CA

Not just California, trust me!!

[Catherine]

Oh jeezel luizel do NOT get me started.  I am SO sick of the KSC entrenched bureaucratic incompetence!!  Thank heavens Gwen is graduating next month as I have just about HAD it with them.  

[BulldogTom]

Oh jeezel luizel do NOT get me started.  I am SO sick of the KSC entrenched bureaucratic incompetence!!  Thank heavens Gwen is graduating next month as I have just about HAD it with them.  

My son would be graduating next month as well if not for the incompetence of the "entrenched bureaucratic incompetence" at San Jose State.  He has to return for 2 classes, NINE UNITS, that he could have completed if those idiots would have just read his transcript correctly.

 

It is costing him a year of his career. 

 

I hate San Jose State administration.  They think the university was created for them instead of the students.

 

Tom

Newark, CA

[Gail in Virginia]

Interesting article excerpted from The New York Times in The Week about where college tuition money is going and why colleges need to raise tuition so much points to the increase in the number of administrators.  From 1993 to 2009, the number of administrators at colleges increased by 60 per cent.  At California Polytechnic University, the total number of administrators grew from 3,800 to 12,183 over three decades - a 221 per cent increase.  The article does not mention how much other areas grew - student body, number of professors, etc.  The article also points out that some administrators are making six- and even seven- figure salaries now.  From the attitude expressed towards those administrators in your posts, you are not getting your money's worth. 

[RitaB]

I have two in college, and it's rough, BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL AID. When money is being handed out left and right, tuition increases. What do we get for our increased tuition? ADMINISTRATORS.

Oh, and my health insurance - the premiums are always paid, my medical bills are always paid. It's not good enough now, and I had to get a better policy yesterday, with a HIGHER deductible for $161 MORE a month. There's two examples of what happens when the government helps.

[JohnH]

Whenever government intervention in the marketplace is contemplated, we should always remember that the most efficient government entity is the military.  Relatively speaking, it produces more tangible results per dollar spent than any other bureaucracy.  That should tell us all we need to know.

Edited April 22, 2015 by JohnH

[jklcpa]

Here's that article Gail mentioned that was in the NY Times several weeks ago if anyone would like to read it. I remembered it also and asked one of my college professor friends to help me find it again. 

[Catherine]

Anyone interested will find all *kinds* of worthwhile reading on the subject of college costs at market-ticker.org.  Just put "college" in the search box on the right, sit back and read the fireworks.

[RitaB]

Here's that article Gail mentioned that was in the NY Times several weeks ago if anyone would like to read it. I remembered it also and asked one of my college professor friends to help me find it again.

Ok, did hell freeze over? Cause the New York Times just agreed with me about something. What????

[jklcpa]

Inside Higher Ed.com was recommended from two of my friends that are univ faculty

[Eric]

Oh jeezel luizel do NOT get me started.  I am SO sick of the KSC entrenched bureaucratic incompetence!!  Thank heavens Gwen is graduating next month as I have just about HAD it with them.  

 

Learning to navigate a bureaucracy is one of the most important things you'll do in college.  You'll use that skill for the rest of your life.

 

I mean, you're tax prepares, it pretty much defines your profession!

[JohnH]

Eric is right. Fresh out of high school, I first learned to navigate bureaucracy during 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. Then came college. The bureaucratic challenges were different with college, but the basic territory was very familiar.

Edited April 22, 2015 by JohnH

[Catherine]

Learning to navigate a bureaucracy is one of the most important things you'll do in college.  You'll use that skill for the rest of your life.

 

I mean, you're tax prepares, it pretty much defines your profession!

 

There is a difference between being able to *navigate* and being able to *tolerate* institutionalized idiocy mixed with incompetence.  I have NO patience for that kind of crap; there are far too many important things I should spend my time on.

[Catherine]

Ok, did hell freeze over? Cause the New York Times just agreed with me about something. What????

 

Sure did; I agreed with Senator Bernie Sanders (VT; Socialist party) on something today, too.

[JohnH]

Speaking of how bureaucracies work, here is a prime example.  It's the old "Sell the Fire Engine" ploy.  When townspeople revolt against property taxes, the local politicians start crying that fire or police services will have to be cut.  They insist there's absolutely no savings to be found in the bloated budgets for city hall, even though the mayor and half the city council have multiple family members on the payroll.  Gotta make it painful for the public in order to get revenge and wear the taxpayers down until they extract more taxes. 

 

Same issue here with the IRS.  Congress cuts their funding, so there's nothing to do but inconvenience the taxpayers so they will in turn complain to their Senators and Congresspersons. I'm sure there is absolutely nowhere else the IRS could save any money other than their front-facing segment.   Put 'em on hold and make them wait, or just don't answer the phone at all. But it's full steam ahead on bonuses, union activities, and other "essential" expenditures.   I'm looking forward to seeing what comes out of the hearings, although I'm sure that game is rigged as well.  http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/report-irs-deliberately-cut-its-own-customer-service-budget_927141.html

Edited April 22, 2015 by JohnH