2009 Tax Returns? Collegeboard and schools don't seem to agree?

Paying for College
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<p>So when you complete the CSS PROFILE and send it out, it gives you a list of schools and says what other things you have to send to them. I believe on CSS, a capital letter L signifies that you must send in a 2009 Tax Return to the school. </p>

<p>For example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has an L next to it on the handy little table of requirements on Collegeboard’s website. But then the text from MIT’s actual website is:</p>

<p>"Additional information </p>

<p>If your family has special circumstances or unusual expenses, or you have any other information that will help us understand their financial situation more completely, please send us a letter detailing that information.</p>

<p>If you will not be able to send the 2010 income tax return through the IDOC service by February 15, 2011, send your 2009 income tax returns, W-2 forms, and all schedules directly to Student Financial Services. You will be required to submit the 2010 Tax Returns to IDOC when they are available.
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<p>It says 2009 Tax Returns are only required if you can not get the 2010 one out by February 15. Why is this inconsistent with Collegeboard? Are they only putting an “L” next to the school name to warn that it is simply POSSIBLE that 2009 tax returns are required? Seems like this one school only wants 2009 if you can’t get 2010 in by a certain date.</p>

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<p>When in doubt, I always call the colleges to verify anything in question. College board/profile is just a third party. They have pat answers and possibly un-updated info like those codes you described.</p>

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<p>Ok. Thank you upstatemom. Though the website does state “send 2009 if your 2010 can’t be submitted through IDOC by February 15th.” February 15th won’t be a problem for me, so might as well just give them the most recent one.</p>