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IRS Data Retrieval Tool

The U.S. Department of Education recently created an enhancement to the FAFSA filing process by allowing applicants and parents to retrieve tax data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS Data Retrieval Tool is the easiest way to provide accurate income tax information on the FAFSA. The IRS tool is now available on the FAFSA website.

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE 2012-2013 FAFSA PROCESS:

ALL applicants and parents who indicate they have filed a federal tax return will be directed to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

Applicants and parents who indicate they will file a federal tax return will receive email communication(s) from the federal processor directing them to use the IRS Tool to update their income information once they have filed their 2011 federal income tax return.

Applicants selected for the verification process will be required to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool OR they may choose to request a tax transcript from the IRS, which can be submitted to the Financial Aid Office.

HOW SOON AFTER FILING A 2011 FEDERAL TAX RETURN CAN I USE THE IRS TOOL?

For electronic tax filers	IRS Data will be available to fill in the FAFSA within 2 weeks of filing.
For paper tax filers	IRS Data will be available to fill in the FAFSA within 6 – 8 weeks of filing

If you plan to submit your FAFSA before you and/or your parents complete and submit your 2011 Federal Tax Return, be sure to return to the FAFSA and use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to update your FAFSA record once the returns have been submitted and the income data is available to be retrieved.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO USE THE IRS DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL

You will be given the option to view/transfer your IRS information if you have:

Filed your 2011 Federal Tax Return(s)
A valid social security number
A Federal Student Aid PIN (if you do not have a PIN, you will be given the option to apply for one)
Not changed your martial status since December 31, 2011

WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO USE THE IRS DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL

The following circumstances make you ineligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool:

Filed an amended 2011 Federal Tax Return
Will not file a 2011 Federal Tax Return
Are married but filed separately
Filed a foreign tax return (including Puerto Rico)

You must instead submit to the Financial Aid Office a certified IRS transcript 4506-T. Parents who are married but filing separately must submit two separate IRS transcripts. Transcripts are not required for those filing a foreign or Puerto Rican tax return.