Guidelines for the Verification Process, 2019-20

Complete and submit the 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for 2019-20 financial aid.  We strongly recommend completing the FAFSA early (available beginning October 1, 2018).

  • File by January 15 at studentaid.gov to meet the February 1 Priority Deadline.
  • Use tax year 2017 income information.
  • Electronically sign the FAFSA using FSA ID. 

What is Verification? 

  • Verification is the federal process of verifying or confirming the information provided on the FAFSA is accurate. Roughly 30% of all FAFSAs filed are selected for Verification.
  • Marquette will notify you if your FAFSA has been selected for verification and of the documentation to submit to us.

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1. SELECTED FOR VERIFICATION?

If you receive notice you have been selected for verification, take the following steps:

Complete the Verification Worksheet

Submit your 2017 Federal Tax Data

  • Use IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) to transfer your 2017 federal tax data into your 2019-2020 FAFSA. 
  • Or a signed copy of your 2017 Federal IRS Income Tax Return.

IF YOU DID NOT FILE A 2017 IRS TAX RETURN:

  • Dependent Students: If your parent(s) did not file a 2017 federal tax return and you receive notice you have been selected for verification, you must obtain documentation from the IRS that your parent(s) did not file.
  • Independent Students: If you did not file a 2017 federal tax return and you receive notice you have been selected for verification, you must obtain documentation from the IRS that you did not file.

2. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE IRS DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL

Step #1: Determine whether you are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) by considering the following:

It is important to note that to successfully use the IRS DRT, you must have both:

  • A valid Social Security Number and legal name match and
  • Filed a 2017 Federal Tax Return

Also:

If Any of These Apply to you:
  • Applied for a 2017 Federal Tax Filing Extension
  • Filed a Puerto Rican or foreign tax return
  • Filed return using a Tax ID Number (TIN)
  • Tax Return Transcript not obtainable due to Victim of IRS  Identity Theft
  • Filed Married Filing Separately
  • Filed Married Filing Head of Household
  • Marital status from 1/1/2018 through 5/11/2020 has changed

Then…
You may NOT be eligible to use the IRS DRT. Follow the instructions on tab 5.

 Step #2

Once you have reviewed Step #1, choose the appropriate link below:

  • Tab 3, I am (or my parents are) eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
  • Tab 4, My (or my parents') 2017 federal taxes were filed very recently.

3. APPLICANT AND/OR PARENT ELIGIBLE TO TRANSFER DATA

If you are eligible to transfer the 2017 tax data from the IRS to the 2019-2020 FAFSA, follow these instructions:

  • Log in to studentaid.gov.
  • Navigate to Parent Financial Information, enter Parent FSA ID.
  • Choose "Link to IRS".
  • When you use IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you will receive a notice (CP302) from the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service. This is notification that your tax data was accessed through the FAFSA website.
  • Navigate to Student Financial Information. Follow similar steps for student tax data.

More information:

4. TAX RETURN(S) RECENTLY FILED / TAX DATA NOT AVAILABLE TO TRANSFER

When you attempt to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) as the applicant and/or parent who recently filed 2017 federal taxes, FAFSA will inform you that the tax information (if electronically filed within the last 2 weeks or submitted by mail within the last 8 weeks) may not be available.  Please see tab 11 for the IRS Data Retrieval Tool Availability Chart.

5. APPLICANT AND/OR PARENT NOT ELIGIBLE TO TRANSFER DATA

 

In certain cases, FAFSA will not provide the option to 'Link to the IRS' if answers to questions determine the student and/or parent isn’t eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT). It will inform the applicant, based on his or her responses, that he or she is not eligible to transfer tax data from the IRS to the FAFSA.

If you are ineligible to use the FAFSA Link to IRS feature because of your 2017 tax filing and/or marital status, and your 2019-2020 FAFSA is selected for Verification, you will be required to submit the following documentation to verify your reported FAFSA income data:

Tax Filing Status:

Then submit the following:

Unable to obtain an IRS Tax Return using the IRS paper or online request

Signed copy of 2017 Federal IRS Income Tax Return

Filed a 2017 Federal Tax Filing Extension and have yet to file your 2017 Tax Return

(See "Tax Extension" information on Tab 6)

Filed Puerto Rican Tax Return

Signed copy of the 2017 Puerto Rican Tax Return which can be ordered here: http://www.hacienda.gobierno.pr/ or by mail using Form 4506-T.

Filed an Income Tax Return with the Tax Authority for American Samoa

Signed copy of 2017 American Samoa Tax Account Information

Filed Other Return: Guam, Virgin Islands, or Northern Mariana Islands Tax Return

Signed copy of the 2017 Other Tax Return filed with the Relevant Tax Authority

Filed Freely Associated States (Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, and Federated States of Micronesia) Tax Return

Signed copy of the 2017 Other Tax Return Transcript

* A signed copy of the applicable 2017 income tax return that was filed with the taxing authority is only acceptable if tax filers are unable to obtain a free copy of a transcript of their tax information

**A tax filer who filed an income tax return with tax authorities and who indicates that they are unable to obtain the tax account information free of charge, must provide documentation that the tax authority charges a fee to obtain that information, along with a signed copy of his or her income tax return that was filed with the relevant tax authority.

Filed Foreign Tax Return

< Signed copy of an official English translation of the 2017 Foreign Tax Return Transcript *or*

< If providing a signed copy of an official English translation of the 2017 Foreign Tax Return instead of a Transcript:

• Signed copy of an official English translation of the 2017 Foreign Tax Return *and*

• Documentation that the tax authority charges a fee to obtain that tax transcript information

* In cases where an individual from a foreign country, under that country's applicable government agency rules, is not required to file an income tax return, he or she can provide the institution with a signed statement certifying all of the individual's income and taxes paid for the tax year.

** A signed copy of the applicable 2017 income tax return that was filed with the taxing authority is only acceptable if tax filers are unable to obtain a free copy of a transcript of their tax information

*** A tax filer who filed an income tax return with tax authorities and who indicates that they are unable to obtain the tax account information free of charge, must provide documentation that the tax authority charges a fee to obtain that information, along with a signed copy of his or her income tax return that was filed with the relevant tax authority.

Filed Married Filing Separately

Signed copy of 2017 Federal IRS Income Tax Return for both tax filers

Married Filed Head of Household

Signed copy of 2017 Federal IRS Income Tax Return

Victims of IRS Identity Theft

  • Signed and dated statement regarding the identity theft and attesting the filer notified the IRS about the theft; *and*

  • Signed copy of 2017 IRS alternate transcript, known as the TRDBV (Transcript Data Base View)

Filers who believe they are victims of identity theft may call Identity Protection Specialized Unit (IPSU) toll-free number at (800) 908-4490 or go to the ID theft page on irs.gov. After the IPSU authenticates the tax filer's identify, the tax filer can request that the IRS mail to the tax filer an alternate paper tax return transcript.

 If your marital status changed for the period January 1, 2018 through May 11, 2020 or if you are unmarried, living together, and unable to file a joint tax return, see the chart that follows.

Tax Filing Status:

Then submit the following:

Parent on the Dependent Student’s FAFSA filed a joint income tax return and is married to someone other than the individual included on the joint income tax return

  • Signed copy of parents' joint 2017 Federal IRS Income Tax Return

  • IRS Form W-2 for each source of employment income received for tax year 2017

  • Step-parent signed copy of 2017 Federal IRS Income Tax Return

Parent on the Dependent Student’s FAFSA filed a joint 2017 tax return, but is now separated, divorced, or widowed.

  • Signed copy of parents' joint 2017 Federal IRS Income Tax Return

  • IRS Form W-2 for each source of employment income received for tax year 2017

Parents are unmarried, living together, and did not file a  joint income tax return
  • Parent #1 and Parent #2 must each submit a signed copy of their 2017 Federal IRS Income Tax Return

Independent student who filed a joint income tax return and who is married to someone other than the individual included on the joint income tax return

  • Signed copy of student’s joint 2017 Federal IRS Income Tax Return

  • IRS Form W-2 for each source of employment income received for tax year 2017

  • Signed copy of 2017 Federal IRS Tax Income Return for spouse

Independent student who filed a joint income tax return  who is separated, divorced or a widow of the individual included on the joint income tax return.

  • Signed copy of student's joint 2017 Federal IRSIncome Tax Return

  • IRS Form W-2 for each source of employment income received for tax year 2017

6. FILED A 2017 FEDERAL IRS TAX EXTENSION

When the applicant’s FAFSA is selected for verification but the applicant and/or parent(s) have applied for the 2017 IRS Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File a U.S. Tax Return, submit the following documents by the requested date on the Missing Information Letter (MIL).

When Your FAFSA is Selected for Verification...

But you and/or your Parent(s)
Applied for a 2017 IRS Tax Extension

Submit this:

Fully completed and signed 2019-20 Verification Worksheet

And:

Copy of 2017 IRS Form 4868: Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return

And:

If you apply for and are approved for an extension beyond the automatic six-month extension deadline (October 15, 2018), you must submit a copy of the unexpired IRS approval of an additional extension of filing time for tax year 2017.

And:

Signed statement certifying that the individual—

  • Attempted to obtain Verification of Non-Filing letter from the IRS or other tax authorities and was unable to obtain the required documentation; and

  • Has not filed a 2017 Federal IRS Income Tax Return

And one, or both of these:

Copy of IRS Form W-2 for each source of employment income. AND/OR Signed statement by a self-employed individual certifying the amount of the AGI and the U.S. Income Tax Paid for tax year 2017

Interim Verification

Verification is temporarily completed when the above documentation has been received.

Final Verification

Verification is not complete until the FAFSA reflects the actual 2017 Federal IRS Tax Return data.  Final Verification is required once the tax return has been filed or before the end of the enrollment period, whichever comes first, or 2019-20 financial aid must be cancelled.

Applicant and/or Parent Eligible to Transfer Data on Tab 3.

Visit studentaid.gov and follow the instructions found on Tab 3.

If ineligible for the Link to IRS feature, submit a signed copy of your 2017 Federal IRS Income Tax Return.

7. VERIFICATION OF IRA AND/OR PENSION ROLLOVERS

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) does not identify and exclude tax return IRA and/or Pension distributions that have been rolled over into another account. If you have an IRA and/or Pension Rollover on your 2017 Federal IRS Income Tax Return, review this chart to learn what happens and how to update the FAFSA information.

Tax Return IRA and Pension Rollovers and IRS DRT

What Happens with Your 2017 IRA and/or Pension Rollover when you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)?

If you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to complete your FAFSA, the following will happen:

If an amount greater than $0 is transferred from the IRS into the Untaxed Portions of IRA Distributions field or the Untaxed Portions of Pensions field in the FAFSA form, you will be required to answer a new question about whether or not that amount includes a rollover. If you answer “yes,” you will be required to provide the amount of the rollover in a new entry field. The amount you report as the rollover amount will then be subtracted from the amount of the IRA or Pension distribution that was transferred from the IRS.

What Should You Do If You Have a 2017 IRA or Pensions Rollover when you did not/could not use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)?

Step #1:

Do not attempt to correct the information yourself.

Enter the tax information exactly as it is shown on your IRS Form 1040/1040A

 

Step #2:

Provide the following to Marquette Central:

A signed written statement/request for correction to your FAFSA Untaxed IRA and/or Pension Rollover with the 2017 rollover amount *and*

A copy of IRS Form 1099-R for all IRA or Pension distributions.

*or*

Provide the following to Marquette Central:

A signed copy Federal 2017 Tax Return Transcript with the word ‘rollover’ handwritten next to the applicable line items *and*

A copy of IRS Form 1099-R for all IRA or Pension distributions.

 

Result:

Once your documentation is received, it will be reviewed and processed.

8. I HAD TO AMEND MY 2017 TAX RETURN; FILED A 1040X

If you (or your parents) had to make corrections to the original 2017 Federal Income Tax Return that you filed and had to file a 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, submit the following documents by the requested date on the Missing Information Letter (MIL):

  • Signed copy of 2017 Federal IRS Tax Return; *and*
  • Signed copy of 2017 IRS Form 1040X, "Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return"

Or if you did not amend your 2017 IRS tax returns but are being asked to submit an amended return to our office:

  • Signed copy of 2017 Federal IRS Tax Return; *and*
  • Signed copy of 2017 Federal IRS Tax Account Transcript on Tab 9; *and*
  • Signed statement that you did not amend your 2017 Federal IRS Income Tax Return

9. HOW TO REQUEST A TAX RETURN TRANSCRIPT, 2019-20

As of January 9th, 2019, a signed copy of a tax return may be acceptable in place of a tax return transcript, check your to-dos in CheckMarq for more information.

 If you have trouble entering your street address into an online form, try these address matching suggestions.

2017 Tax Return Transcript Availability Timeframes

Online Request

Available at www.irs.gov

  • Click or tap "Get Your Tax Record"
  • Click or tap “Get Transcript Online” (If at any point, you cannot validate your identity – for example, you cannot provide financial verification information or you lack access to a mobile phone – you may use Get Transcript by Mail, see below)
  • Follow instructions for creating an account or login.
  • Select "Tax Return Transcript" (not "Tax Account Transcript") and in the Tax Year field, select "2017".
  • Sign and submit the tax return transcript to Marquette; make sure to include the student’s name and MUID on the transcript.

OR

  • Click or tap "Get My Tax Record"
  • Click or tap “Get Transcript by Mail”
  • Follow instructions.
  • Select "Return Transcript" (not "Account Transcript") and in the Tax Year field, select "2017".
  • Tax filers can expect to receive a paper IRS Tax Return Transcript at the address included in their online request within 5 to 10 days.
  • Sign and submit the tax return transcript to Marquette; make sure to include the student’s name and MUID on the transcript.

Telephone Request

Available from the IRS by calling (800) 908-9946

  • Tax filers must follow prompts to enter their social security number and the numbers in their street address. Generally this will be numbers of the street address that was listed on the latest tax return filed.
  • Select "Option 2" to request an IRS Tax Return Transcript (not "Tax Account Transcript") and then enter "2017".
  • If successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper IRS Tax Return Transcript at the address provided in their telephone request within 5 to 10 days from the time of the request.
  • IRS Tax Return Transcripts requested by telephone cannot be sent directly to a third party by the IRS.
  • Sign and submit the tax return transcript to Marquette; make sure to include the student’s name and MUID on the transcript.

Paper Request Form – IRS Form 4506T-EZ

Download IRS Form 4506T-EZ at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506tez.pdf 

  • Complete lines 1 – 4, following the instructions on page 2 of the form, use blue or black ink.
  • Line 3: enter the tax filer's street address and zip or postal code. Use the address currently on file with the IRS. 
  • Line 5: provides tax filers with the option to have their IRS Tax Return Transcript mailed directly to a third party by the IRS. Do not have your Tax Return Transcript sent directly to Marquette.
  • Line 5b: provides tax filers with the option to a 10 digit Customer File Number: Enter the Student’s MUID number on this line.
  • Line 6: in the Tax Year field, enter "2017".
  • The tax filer must sign and date the form and enter their telephone number. Only one signature is required when requesting a joint tax return transcript.
  • The IRS will not process a transcript request if you cross out any error that you made when filling out the Tax Transcript Request; instead print out a new request and return the properly completed and signed to the IRS.
  • Mail or fax the completed IRS Form 4506T-EZ to the address (or FAX number) provided on page 2 of Form 4506T-EZ.
  • If the 4506T-EZ information is successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper IRS Tax Return Transcript at the address provided on their request within 5 to 10 days.
  • Sign and submit the tax return transcript to Marquette; make sure to include the student’s name and MUID on the transcript.

MAIL

Zilber Hall, Suite 121 
P.O. BOX 1881 
MILWAUKEE, WI 53201-1881

How to fix address matching problems when ordering online

When entering the information into the IRS address matching system note the following:

  • The address entered must match the address already on file with the IRS exactly.
  • The address on file is typically the address on your most recent tax return.
  • Spelling out the word “street” rather than using the abbreviation “st.” can be enough to cause an error.
  • Addresses on the IRS system are auto-corrected through a post office program and may not match what you put on your tax return.

We suggest the following if you run into problems:

  • Have your taxes in front of you and enter the address carefully as it is on your return.
  • If you entered your address as it appears on your return and it doesn’t work, try using the standardized version of your address.
    • To get a standardized version of your address: 1) go to www.usps.com 2) Click or tap Look Up a Zip Code 3) Enter Street Address, City, State 4) Click or tap Find
  • If you still have problems, the IRS.gov Website Help Desk can be reached toll-free at (800) 876-1715, Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

10. HOW TO REQUEST IRS VERIFICATION OF NON-FILING LETTER, 2019-20

What is an IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter?

An IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter provides proof that the IRS has no record of a filed Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ for the year you requested.

Note: If the individual is unable to obtain a Verification of Non-filing letter from the IRS or other tax authorities the following are acceptable:

Nontax filers - For independent students, and parents of dependent students who did not file and are not required to file an income tax return for the applicable tax year and are not able to obtain a Verification of Non-filing letter from the IRS, submit the following:

  • A signed statement certifying that the individual—
    • Attempted to obtain the Verification of Non-filing letter from the IRS or other tax authorities and was unable to obtain the required documentation; and
    • Has not filed and is not required to file a 2017 income tax return, and a listing of the sources of any 2017 income earned by the individual from work and the amount of income from each source; and   
  • A copy of IRS Form W–2, or an equivalent document, for each source of 2017 employment income received by the individual.

If you typically would have filed a Puerto Rican or Foreign Income Tax Return you must submit appropriate non-filing documentation from a relevant tax authority.

Information on acceptable forms from the IRS as documentation of non-filing status can be found here.

Online Request

Available at www.irs.gov

Note: This is typically not available if you have never filed taxes before in prior years. If this is the case, please use the paper request process detailed below.

  • Click or tap "Get My Tax Record"
  • Click or tap “Get Transcript Online” (If at any point, you cannot validate your identity – for example, you cannot provide financial verification information or you lack access to a mobile phone – you may use Get Transcript by Mail, see below)
  • Follow instructions for creating an account or login.
  • Select "Verification of Non-filing Letter " and in the Tax Year field, select "2017".
  • Sign and submit the IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter, if requested, to Marquette Central; make sure to include the student’s name and Marquette ID on the letter.

Paper Request Form – IRS Form 4506-T

Download IRS Form 4506-T at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf 

  • Complete lines 1 – 4, following the instructions on page 2 of the form.
  • Line 3: enter the non filer's street address and zip or postal code. Use the address currently on file with the IRS. 
  • Line 5: provides non filers with the option to have their IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter mailed directly to a third party by the IRS. Do not have your IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter sent directly to Marquette.
  • Line 5b: provides tax filers with the option to a 10 digit Customer File Number: enter the Student’s MUID number on this line.
  • Line 6: Enter tax form number 1040.
  • Line 7: Select the checkbox on the right hand side for Verification of Nonfiling.
  • Line 9: Year or period requested field, enter "12/31/2017".
  • The non filer must sign and date the form and enter their telephone number. Only one signature is required when requesting a joint IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter.
  • Mail or fax the completed IRS Form 4506-T to the address (or FAX number) provided on page 2 of Form 4506-T.
  • If the 4506-T information is successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter at the address provided on their request within 5 to 10 days.
  • Sign and submit the IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter, if requested, to Marquette Central; make sure to include the student’s name and Marquette ID on the letter.

How to fix address matching problems when ordering online

When entering the information into the IRS address matching system note the following:

  • The address entered must match the address already on file with the IRS exactly.
  • The address on file is typically the address on your most recent tax return.
  • Spelling out the word “street” rather than using the abbreviation “st.” can be enough to cause an error.
  • Addresses on the IRS system are auto-corrected through a post office program and may not match what you put on your tax return.

We suggest the following if you run into problems:

  • Have your taxes in front of you and enter the address carefully as it is on your return.
  • If you entered your address as it appears on your return and it doesn’t work, try using the standardized version of your address.
    • To get a standardized version of your address: 1) go to www.usps.com 2) Click or tap Look Up a Zip Code 3) Enter Street Address, City, State 4) Click or tap Find
    • If you still have problems, the IRS.gov Website Help Desk can be reached toll-free at (800) 876-1715, Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

11. TIMELINE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE 2019-2020 IRS DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL

For 2019-2020, use the table below to determine the general timeframe when you request a transcript for a 2017 Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ return filed on or before April 15, 2018. Availability varies based on the method you used to file your return and whether you have a refund or balance due.

When your original return shows a ...

and you filed electronically, then

and you filed on paper, then

refund amount or no balance due,

allow 2-3 weeks after return submission before you request a transcript.

allow 6-8 weeks after you mailed your return before you request a transcript.

balance due, and you paid in full with your return,

allow 2-3 weeks after return submission before you request a transcript

the IRS processes your return in June, and you can request a transcript in mid- to late June.

Note: the IRS processes all payments upon receipt.

balance due, and you paid in full after submitting the return,

allow 3-4 weeks after full payment before you request a transcript.

balance due and you didn't pay in full,

the IRS processes your return in mid-May, and you can request a transcript by late May.

Source: Internal Revenue Service