2023–2024 fafsa verification-irs tax return transcript matrix

Verification of Income

FAFSA uses tax information from two years ago. To obtain verification of income from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you will need to:

• Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) found on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• OR submit a signed and dated copy of your 2021 Form 1040 along with Schedules 1-3 if filed with your return
• OR submit a Tax Return Transcript (requested from the IRS)

We have found the easiest way to obtain the IRS tax information is for you to update your FAFSA by using the IRS DRT. The FAFSA IRS DRT cannot be used if the tax return filer is married and filed their tax return as either head of household or married filing separately.

If you have a Foreign Tax Return, submit all pages of that 2021 return and be sure it is signed by the tax filer. If the currency is not listed in US Dollars, please convert the amounts to US Dollars. Please also indicate the conversion somewhere on the document.

You can receive an estimated financial aid offer without submitting the required information; however, your financial aid offer will not be finalized and funds will not disburse until the verification review is completed.

You must have your verification review completed at least 120 days after your last date of attendance. This timeline will start the day after you withdraw or after the last day of the semester.  We recommend documents be submitted at least two weeks prior to the deadline.  This allows sufficient time for the Office of Student Financial Aid to process and disburse the financial aid within the timeframe permitted under Title IV regulations and University policy. The deadline for you to submit verification documentation may be extended up to your last day of enrollment during the academic year/period on a case-by-case basis and is processed to the extent that is administratively possible. 

Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA

Call the FAFSA hotline at 800-433-3243 if you need assistance using the FAFSA IRS DRT.

View the U.S. Department of Education's procedures or follow the instructions below:

1. On the FAFSA website, click on the Log In button in the Returning User? section
2. After logging onto the appropriate year FAFSA, select the Make FAFSA Corrections link located in the midsection of the screen
3. Once you are in the FAFSA corrections area, select the Financial Information tab at the top of the screen
4. Answer the questions presented. They will be prefilled with answers, so change if necessary
5. If you are eligible to use the FAFSA IRS DRT, you will be presented with a Link to the IRS button. If you are not eligible to use the DRT, follow the instructions below on how to obtain a Tax Return Transcript 
6. Once you complete the IRS information, it will bring you back to your FAFSA
7. Scroll to the bottom of the FAFSA screen, click next, and follow the directions
8. Make sure you submit the corrections and sign your FAFSA using your FSA ID
9. You will know that your federal tax return information has been successfully transferred in Transferred from the IRS displays in place of the IRS information on your FAFSA
10. After you have completed the FAFSA IRS data retrieval, the Office of Student Financial Aid will receive a new FAFSA record in approximately one week

Obtaining a Tax Return Transcript 

If you are applying for financial aid for the 2023-2024 academic year, you will need to obtain a 2021 Tax Return Transcript. There are several ways to obtain the Tax Return Transcript:

• Visit the IRS website:
  • Click on the Get Transcript Online button to immediately view, print, or download your Tax Return Transcript
  • Click on the Get Transcript by Mail button to request that the IRS mail your Tax Return Transcript to you. It will take five to ten business days for you to receive the tax return transcript(s) from the IRS.
• Call the IRS automated phone transcript service at 1-800-908-9946

If you have any problems obtaining your tax return transcript from the IRS website, view their Get Transcript FAQ website for additional instructions or call the IRS at 800-829-1040 from 7:00am-7:00pm, Monday through Friday.

After you receive the tax return transcript(s), write the student's name and University ID number in the top right corner and submit it to the Office of Student Financial Aid as soon as possible.

Obtaining a Verification of Non-Filing Letter

If your parent(s) did not and will not file a federal tax return, a Verification of Non-Filing Letter must be obtained from the IRS for each non-filer. If both parents did not and will not file a federal tax return, two Verification of Non-Filing Letters must be obtained. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the Verification of Non-Filing Letter must be for the calendar year of 2021.

The Verification of Non-Filing Letter can be obtained from the IRS website using the IRS Get Transcript service. If you cannot obtain one online, you can request one by completing the IRS Form 4506-T and faxing/mailing it to the IRS.

 If you have any problems obtaining your Verification of Non-Filing Letter, call the IRS at 800-829-1040, from 7:00am-7:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Unable to Obtain the Verification of Non-Filing Letter

If you or your parents are not able to obtain the Verification of Non-Filing Letter you may provide our office with:

• A signed statement from your parent(s) if a dependent student, or a student/spouse if an independent student certifying that:

1. Attempted to obtain the 2021 letter from the IRS or other tax authorities and was unable to obtain the required documentation; and
2. Has not filed and is not required to file a 2021 income tax return, and a listing of the sources of any 2021 income earned by the individual from work and the amount of income from each source; and
3. A copy of IRS Form W-2, or an equivalent document, for each source of 2021 employment income received by your parent(s), yourself, or spouse

What tax year does FAFSA use for 2024 2025?

Can I use tax return transcript for FAFSA?

Does FAFSA verify information with the IRS?

What does verified mean on tax transcript?