Verification Process

IRS Data Retrieval Tool

Who is eligible?

Instructions for using the IRS Data Retrieval tool

Some important new changes have come to the FAFSA filing process and the verification process.  The IRS Data Retrieval tool can be used while filling out theFAFSA  to request the information from your tax return.   The information on your tax return is then transferred on to your FAFSA.  Using the IRS Data Retrieval tool simplifies the process of importing financial data from the federal tax return to the FAFSA, increasing accuracy of information.

• FAFSA applicants and parents of dependent students who indicate they have filed a federal tax return will be directed to use the IRS Data Retrieval  Tool. 
• If your tax return was filed online, it will be available for import to the FAFSA within 1 to 2 weeks
• If a paper tax return was filed, it will be available for import within 6 to 8 weeks. 

• Applicants and parents who indicate they will file a federal tax return will receive email communication(s) directing them to use the IRS Tool to update their income information once they have filed their federal income tax return.
• If you plan to submit your FAFSA before you and/or your parents complete and submit your Federal Tax Return, once taxes are filed and available, it is strongly recommended that you update the FAFSA to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (see above for a time frame on when your tax return will be available for use).

• Applicants selected for the verification process who indicated Have Filed or Will File  will be required to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool OR they may choose to request a tax transcript from the IRS.

Who can use the IRS Data Retrieval tool?

• If you filed a tax return
• If you have a valid Social Security Number
• If you have a Federal Student Aid PIN
• If you do not have a PIN, you will be given the option to apply for one
• If your marital status has not changed since December 31.

Who cannot use the IRS Data Retrieval tool?

• If you  filed an amended federal tax return
• If you did not file a federal tax return
• If your federal tax filing status is married filing separately
• If you filed both a federal tax return and a foreign return

If you filed or will file for an extension IRS tax return or owe tax payment, contact the Financial Aid Office.

Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool  

1. Go to http://www.fafsa.gov and log in to your FAFSA
2. Click on Make a Correction
3. Go to the financial section of the FAFSA for the tax filer (I.E.  if student, go to the Student Financial Section, if parent, go to Parent Financial section)
4. Enter your PIN* and click Link To IRS
   • *You will not be asked to enter your PIN if you entered a PIN to begin your FAFSA.
5. Your FAFSA will be saved and you will be transferred to the IRS Web site.
6. On the IRS Web site, enter the requested information.
7. Once the IRS has validated your identification, your IRS tax information will display. You can either transfer your information from the IRS, or choose to return to FAFSA on the Web from the IRS Web site. If you do not transfer your information or choose not to return from the IRS Web site, you will have to login to open your saved FAFSA.
8. If you transfer your IRS tax information, questions that are populated with tax information will be marked with “Transferred from the IRS.”

See a tutorial on how to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool

If information from the IRS Data Retrieval is changed by the applicant (or parent of a dependent student), the newest  FAFSA transaction  will be rejected and aid will be awarded on the transaction with the correct IRS data.

2012-2013 Verification Process

Fall 2012/Spring 2013/Summer 2013

The verification process has changed for 2012-2013 and federal tax returns are no longer accepted as part of the verification process.  Please read the following information carefully to ensure the proper documentation is submitted.  Incomplete or incorrect submissions will be returned unprocessed to the student.

Verification paperwork must be submitted to the IPFW Financial Aid Office.  Dependent Students and Independent Students have different requirements:

For Dependent Students:

To complete the Verification process, you must complete a Dependent Verification Worksheet. Additional documentation depends on the status of the tax filer:

Parent and student tax filing status

• If parent and student used IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA AND tax return information was successfully added to the FAFSA, no further documentation is needed to be attached to the verification worksheet.

•  If parent and/or student did not use the IRS Data Retrieval tool due to one or more of the reasons below, you must obtain an IRS Tax Transcript:

•  Parent or student marital status changed after December 31, 2011
• Parent filed tax return as Married, Filing Separately
• Parent or student filed an amended tax return
• Parent or student filed a foreign tax return
• Parent or student completed a paper FAFSA

• If parent did not file taxes, parent must complete a signed statement as to how family was supported without employment income.

• If parent or student worked in 2011 but was not required to file taxes, W2 forms must be attached

If the parent or student filed or will file for an extension 2011 IRS tax return or owes tax a payment, please contact the Financial Aid Office before completing the Dependent Student Verification Worksheet.

Download the 2012-2013 Dependent Student Verification Instructions and Worksheet

For Independent Students:

To complete the Verification process, you must complete an Independent Verification Worksheet. Additional documentation depends on the status of the tax filer:

Student (and spouse, if applicable) tax filing status:

• If student (and spouse, if applicable) used IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA AND tax return information was successfully added to the FAFSA, no further documentation is needed to be attached to the verification worksheet.

•  If student (and spouse, if applicable) did not use the IRS Data Retrieval tool due to one or more of the reasons below, you must obtain an IRS Tax Transcript:

•  Student marital status  changed after December 31, 2011
• Student (and spouse, if applicable)  filed tax return as Married, Filing Separately
• Student (and spouse, if applicable)  filed an amended tax return
•  Student (and spouse, if applicable) filed a foreign tax return
• Student (and spouse, if applicable) completed a paper FAFSA
• Student (and spouse, if applicable) filed or will file for an extension 2011 IRS tax return or owe tax payment

• If student did not file taxes, student  must complete a signed statement as to how family was supported without income from employment.

• If student and/or spouse (if applicable)  worked in 2011 but was not required to file taxes, W2 forms must be attached

If the student (or spouse if married and filed separately) filed or will file for an extension 2011 IRS tax return or owes a tax payment, please contact the Financial Aid Office before completing the Independent Student Verification Worksheet

Download the 2012-2013 Independent Student Verification Instructions and Worksheet