IRS Data Retrieval on FAFSA
The federal government has introduced a change in the way you and your family reports information on your FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education has partnered with the Internal Revenue Service to allow you and your parents to transfer your 2013 income information directly from IRS records to your online FAFSA application.
To use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool you must:
- Have a federal tax return filed with the IRS.
- Have filed taxes with a valid social security number (not a tax payer ID).
- Have a Federal Aid Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Request an IRS Tax Return Transcript:
The Tax Return Transcript can be requested online or by mail. Request your IRS tax transcript.
Students selected for verification will be required to submit Tax Return Transcripts. Other documentation must still be submitted, but you will no longer need to send your sensitive tax information through the mail.
Important Note:
Students can expect to receive a tax return transcript within 5-10 days from the time the IRS receives and processes a signed request. If any information does not match the IRS records, the IRS will inform the student if they are unable to provide a tax return transcript.
To learn more visit the IRS website or watch this helpful tutorial IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
Avoid long lines use the IRS Data Retrieval on FAFSA.
The college will no longer be able to accept copies of your tax return for verification. You will need to submit a Tax Return Transcript to the Financial Aid office.
To learn more watch this helpful IRS Data Retrieval Tutorial created by the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Remember: Use the IRS Data Retrieval tool when completing your FAFSA and file your application with fewer mistakes.
