Southwestern Michigan College
How to Provide Student Tax Information for FAFSA Verification
Due to the IRS Data Retrieval Tool outage, the Department of Education has allowed institutions to accept a signed paper
copy of your 2015 tax return until the Data Retrieval Tool is restored (most likely at the start of the new FAFSA season in
October). Your tax return MUST be signed in order to be accepted for Verification. 2015 tax returns can be dropped off,
emailed to [email protected] or faxed in at 269-783-2114. They can also be mailed to SMC’s financial aid office at:
Southwestern Michigan College Financial Aid
58900 Cherry Grove Rd.
Dowagiac, MI 49047
*Please be sure to include your name and SMC ID number on each document. Call the financial aid office at 269-783-2143 if
you have any questions about this process.
If you are unable to access or unable to locate your 2015 tax return, you must obtain a 2015 IRS tax return transcript by
doing one of the following:
 Get Transcript by Mail- Go to www.irs.gov, under the Tools heading, click “Get a Tax Transcript.” Click
“Get Transcript by MAIL.” Make sure to request the “IRS Tax Return Transcript” and NOT the “IRS Tax
Account Transcript.” Allow 5-10 business days for delivery.
 Get Transcript Online- Go to www.irs.gov, under the Tools heading, click “Get a Tax Transcript.” Click
“Get Transcript ONLINE.” The parent will need to register an account in order to use this service, but if
successful can access a pdf copy of their tax return transcript immediately. Make sure to request the “IRS
Tax Return Transcript” and NOT the “IRS Tax Account Transcript.”
 Automated Telephone Request- 1-800-908-9946 to request a transcript by mail. Allow 5-10 business days
for delivery.
 Paper Request Form- IRS Form 4506-T EZ or IRS form 4506-T (available at www.irs.gov).
*Important Notes: If you filed, or will file, an amended 2015 IRS tax return, you must provide a copy of the original tax
return or a tax return transcript of the original return filed, as well as a signed copy of the 1040X form “Amended U.S.
Individual Income Tax Return” that was filed with the IRS.
If you are married and filed separate tax returns (for example, married filing separately), then IRS tax return information must
be provided for both you and your spouse. Notify the financial aid office if you had a change in marital status after
December 31st, 2015.