The US Department of Education and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have collaborated to develop a tool that simplifies the completion of the FAFSA application. The IRS Data Retrieval tool allows FAFSA applicants and parents to request and retrieve their tax data directly from the IRS. Once this data is retrieved from the IRS, it can be transferred to the FAFSA application.
How Does the IRS Data Retrieval Tool Work?
Students and parents who have filed their taxes will be given the option to use the IRS Data Retrieval tool when they are completing their Financial Information portion of their FAFSA application.
Please note that there are TWO separate Financial Information sections on the FAFSA for dependent students. Students will use this tool for the Student Financial Information section and parents of dependent students will use this tool for the Parent Financial Information section.
Once the applicant has selected the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, they will be directed to the IRS website.
Users must authenticate their identity before any personal information is displayed.
After viewing tax data, applicants will then have the option to “Transfer” the tax information directly to the FAFSA.
Who Can Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool?
Applicants who are completing an initial FAFSA, completing a renewal FAFSA, or making a correction to their initial FAFSA.
Students or parents who:
- Have a valid Social Security Number
- Have a valid Federal Student Aid Personal Identification Number (PIN)
- Have completed and filed a Federal Tax return
Can I submit my Tax Return instead?
No. Due to Federal regulations, we will not be able to accept your Actual Federal Tax Return for verification purposes unless one of the follow circumstances exist:
- You filed a Foreign Tax Return
- You filed a Puerto Rican Tax Return
- You filed an Amended Tax Return
Who Can NOT Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool?
Students or parents who:
- Filing status is married filing separately
- Filing status is Head of Household
- Applicants (or parents if dependent student) who are married after they filed their taxes
- Foreign Tax Returns
- Puerto Rican Tax Filers
- Amended Tax Returns
- Recent Tax Filers (less than three weeks since tax filing)
Numbers 1-3 above will be required to submit an IRS Tax Transcript to the Financial Aid Office if they are selected for verification.
Numbers 4-6 will be allowed to submit a paper tax return to the Financial Aid Office
Number 7- The applicant must go back to FAFSA on the web and make a correction and complete the IRS Date Retrieval and resubmit the FAFSA. If they do not complete this process, than they will be required to submit a Tax Transcript to the Financial Aid Office if selected for verification.
When will I be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval tool?
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool will be available for use starting February 1.
Electronically filed tax return information will be available online from the IRS Data Retrieval Tool approximately 3 weeks after returns have been filed.
Data from paper tax returns will be available 11 weeks after the return has been filed.
NOTE: You will need to plan accordingly! If you must have your FAFSA filed by a specific date, file it using your copy of your Federal Return OR by using estimated information in order to meet filing deadlines for any grant programs or scholarship programs.
Why Should I Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool?
IT’S EASY: You don’t manually fill in information from your paper tax return when you complete the FAFSA.
IT’S FAST: With just a couple of clicks and by verifying your 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: For students and parents that are selected for verification, retrieval of your tax information to update the FAFSA application electronically is the most efficient way to provide tax information.
What happens if I haven’t filed my taxes yet?
Even if you have not completed your Federal taxes, you should complete your FAFSA using tax estimates.
You can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool once you have filed your taxes to update your FAFSA.
Income estimates may be used in order to meet the priority filing deadlines, but you must update your Student Aid Report once you have completed your Federal income tax return. Differences between actual income and estimates could result in changes to your financial aid eligibility, even after an award package has been offered.
To make a correction:
- Go to www.FAFSA.gov and click START HERE
- Log on using your information
- Click MAKE FAFSA CORRECTIONS
- Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to upload your tax information.
What Happens if I am Selected for Verification?
If a student or parent is selected for verification, you will be required to complete and submit a Verification Statement and submit your up-to-date tax information. Failure to provide information will prohibit awarding of any Federal and State Student Financial Aid.
- You should provide your updated tax information by making a correction to your submitted FAFSA application using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
- If you are not eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, a copy of your official tax transcript for must be submitted.
- Tax Transcripts can be requested in one of three ways;
- Available on-line at www.irs.gov
- Telephone request by calling 1-800-908-9946
- Paper request form-IRS Form 4506T-EZ can be downloaded at www.irs.gov
NOTE: The ASU Financial Aid & Scholarships office can only accept official tax transcripts for verification purposes. We can no longer accept copies of the federal tax return. Please allow 5-10 days for the IRS to process your request.
