We strongly recommend that parents and students select this option during the initial filing or when subsequent corrections are made to the FAFSA application. This option will streamline and expedite the processing of your financial aid application. If you choose not to use the IRS Data Retrieval, a signed copy of the Federal Income Tax return will need to be submitted.
Why use the IRS Data Retrieval:
- It’s easy. You don’t manually fill in information from your paper tax return when you complete the FAFSA.
- It’s fast. With a couple of clicks and verification of identity your tax information will automatically be transferred to your FAFSA.
- It’s accurate. By using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you are ensuring that the Financial Aid office is receiving your most accurate tax information.
- It streamlines the verification process. Your tax information will be correct. Students and parents that link their FAFSA to the IRS Data Retrieval will have automatically fulfilled most verification criteria for financial aid.
In order to successfully use the IRS Data Retrieval option, you must have:
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- A federal tax return filed with the IRS
- A valid Social Security number
- A Federal Aid Personal Identification Number (PIN)
- An unchanged marital status since December 31
- Electronically filed tax return information will be available online from the IRS site a minimum of 2 weeks after the return has been filed.
Data from paper tax returns will be available in 6-8 weeks after the return has been filed.
Unfortunately, the Data Retrieval Process cannot be used in the following circumstances.
The applicant will have to submit Tax Return Transcript, if selected for verification:
- Submitted a paper FAFSA
- Federal tax filing status was “Married Filing Separate”
- Filed an Amended federal tax return (1040X)
- Filed a Foreign federal tax return
- Marital status has changed since December 31 of tax year
Request a Federal Tax Return Transcript
Information for student and/or parents who have not yet filed their federal income taxes and are completing the FAFSA:
Select “estimated income” information on the initial FAFSA. Enter your estimated tax information of the FAFSA.
If you listed your tax filing status as “Will File” because you had not yet filed a tax return, please remember you need to return to fafsa.ed.gov and change tax filing status to “Already Completed,” and select the IRS Data Retrieval option once you have actually submitted a federal tax return to the IRS. Then you resubmit your FAFSA.
There are 4 options for verifying your tax information
These options are listed in the order that we believe is the most efficient.
Option #1
This is the best and quickest option available to you and/or your parents. If the taxes were filed electronically at least 3 weeks ago, you can log back into your FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov and select “make a correction”. Once inside your FAFSA, navigate to the “Financial Information” section. Near the top of the page should be a blue button labeled “Link to the IRS”. This link will take you from the FAFSA site to the IRS website and if successfully completed, will transfer your tax information back to your FAFSA. You will still need to submit these changes before you log out of your FAFSA. Once we receive the updated FAFSA, the tax requirement(s) will be fulfilled and you will not need to submit any hard copies of your tax return. We recommend that you use this option every year. This process expedites your application process.
You cannot use this process if any of the following applies:
- You submitted a paper FAFSA
- Filed a Married Filing Separate federal tax return
- Filed an Amended federal tax return
- Filed a Foreign federal tax return
- Marital status changed after December 31 of the tax filing year
Option #2
Submit a signed copy of your Federal Income Tax Return (Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ).
Option #3
Use the IRS website to request a copy of your Tax Return Transcript. You can use either the “Get Transcript Online” option or the “Get Transcript By Mail” option. Please note that the transcript by mail option will automatically mail the document to the address on file with the IRS. After receiving the transcript, submit a copy to our office.
Option #4
You may request the IRS Tax Return Transcript by mail using the FORM 4506T-EZ. You can print this form from the IRS website at irs.gov or you can pick one up at our office. After receiving the transcript, submit a copy to our office.
If you filed, or will file, an amended tax return, you need to submit a copy of the IRS Form 1040X “Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return”. You will also need to submit a signed copy of your original Federal Income Tax Return.