How to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool
in the FAFSA
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool allows students and parents to access the IRS tax return information needed to complete
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students and parents may transfer the data directly into their
FAFSA.
WHY USE THE IRS DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL?
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It’s the easiest way to provide your tax data.
It’s the best way of ensuring that your FAFSA has accurate tax
information.
You may not need to provide a copy of your tax return or your
parents’ tax return transcripts to your college.
If you do not use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to provide tax
information and you are selected for verification, the 1040,
1040A and 1040EZ forms will no longer be accepted. Instead,
tax transcripts will be required, due to the Federal Department
of Education’s changes in the verification process. Using the IRS
Data Retrieval Tool could prevent you from being required to
submit an IRS tax transcript and it could shorten the time to be
evaluated for aid eligibility.
WHEN TO USE THE IRS DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL
You can use this tool when you initially complete your FAFSA or when
making a correction to the FAFSA. If the retrieved data is not changed,
then an IRS tax transcript will not be required. Filers must wait 2-3
weeks after filing electronically (or up to 8 weeks after filing by mail) in
order to successfully use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
THE IRS DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE
TO THE STUDENT/STUDENT’S SPOUPSE/PARENT IF:
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The parent has all zeroes for a SSN.
The student or parent has filed a Puerto Rican tax return or a
foreign tax return.
The student or parent filed taxes as Head of Household.
The student or parent was not married in 2011 but is
married at the time the FAFSA is filed, or is currently
married to someone other than the individual included on
the 2011 joint tax return. The current spouse’s income must
be reported on the FAFSA.
A joint tax return was filed for 2011 and the student or the
student’s parents have filed the FAFSA with a marital status
of separated, divorced or widowed.
The student or parent is married but filed tax returns
separately.
The student or parent indicates they have not already filed a
tax return or will not file a tax return.
An amended tax return was file.
USING THE IRS DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL
1. When completing the FAFSA, you will see the “Financial Information” section, where it asks “For 2011, have you completed your IRS income tax
return or another tax return?” If you select “Already Completed,” a series of questions will appear. This will determine if you are able to use the IRS
Data Retrieval Tool. If you are eligible, it will populate a “Link to IRS” button (shown below). Click this to continue. You will then see a “Leaving FAFSA
on the Web” notification (shown below). Click “OK.”
One Stop Student Services
[email protected]
208.562.3000 | www.cwidaho.cc
Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool in the FAFSA
2. Once you are in the IRS system, you will see a warning pop
up (shown below). You must click “OK” to continue with the
data retrieval. Then, fill in the required information and click
“Submit.”
3. Next, you will see two options: “Transfer My Tax Information
into the FAFSA” or “Do not transfer my tax information.” If you
select the transfer option, it will take you back to the FAFSA
with a notification across the stop stating “You have
successfully transferred your 2011 IRS tax information.”
4. You can then complete the remainder of your FAFSA, but be
sure not to change any of the financial information transferred
from the IRS! Any changes made to the IRS transferred data will
be ‘flagged’ for review and you could be selected for
verification.
TIP FOR DEPENDENT STUDENTS:
You and your parent will need to go to the IRS separately in
order to retrieve your tax information.
POSSIBLE ERRORS:
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Did you recently file your taxes? It may be too
soon to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
Electronically filed taxes may take 1-2 weeks; taxes
filed via mail may take 6-8 weeks to become
available.
Mismatched information – your personal
information must be entered as it appears on your
2011 Federal Tax Return.
If you get the “What went wrong?” message
below please choose “Return to FAFSA” or you
could lose all of your data on the FAFSA.
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT?
CWI will receive your FAFSA information and send you information on
your next step. You can also check the myCWI site for this information.
If you are required to complete further documentation please provide
these documents to CWI as soon as possible. Students who meet the
financial aid priority dates are guaranteed to have their file reviewed
for financial aid eligibility before the tuition and fees payment
deadline.
Students selected for verification may need to turn in their 2011
Federal Tax Transcripts. If you are a dependent student and selected
for verification, both you and your parent may need to turn in tax
transcripts. For married students who filed separately, both you and
your spouse may need to provide tax transcripts. See our “Verification
Update” document for more details. You must contact the IRS directly
for transcripts:
Phone: 1-800-908-9946 or 1-800-829-1040
Online: www.irs.gov;
-Click “Order a Return or Account Transcript”
-#3, click “Order a Transcript”
-Enter the required information, if you filed jointly with your
spouse, tax account data is listed under the social security
number of the primary taxpayer shown on your tax return.
Under Type of Transcript? Choose RETURN TRANSCRIPT
Form 4506-T: (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf)
NEED HELP?
Contact One Stop Student Services for questions about filling out the
FAFSA, financial aid, or any other student services issue.
One Stop Student Services
[email protected]
208.562.3000 | www.cwidaho.cc