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 Transcript 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) |
| 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:
* 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. |
| 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 |
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 |
|
| Parent on the Dependent Student’s FAFSA filed a joint 2017 tax return, but is now separated, divorced, or widowed. |
|
| Parents are unmarried, living together, and did not file a joint 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 |
|
| 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. |
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Guidelines for the Verification Process
I've been selected for Verification!
Am I eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)?
IRS Data Retrieval Tool - I am eligible
IRS Data Retrieval Tool - My data is not available to transfer
>IRS Data Retrieval Tool - I am NOT eligible
I've filed an IRS tax extension
What to do about IRA and/or Pension Rollovers
I had to amend my 2017 Tax Return; filed a 1040X
How to Request a Tax Return Transcript
How to Request IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter
The Office of Student Financial Aid provides undergraduate and graduate students with resources about types of financial aid and student employment.
FAFSA School Code: 003863
Questions or for more information, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid
