How to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool in

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? 1. 2. 3. 4.

It’s the easiest way to provide your tax data. It’s the best way of ensuring that your FAFSA has accurate tax information. It could reduce the time to be evaluated for aid eligibility.

THE IRS DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE TO THE STUDENT/STUDENT’S SPOUSE/PARENT IF:  

The parent has all zeroes for a SSN or entered an invalid SSN. The Last 3 digits of SSN is 666.

You may not need to provide a copy of your tax return transcript or your parents’ tax return transcripts to your college.

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The student or parent has filed a Puerto Rican tax return or a foreign tax return.

Please note that 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 tax return will no longer be accepted. Instead, tax transcripts will be required, due to the Federal Department of Education’s changes in the verification process.

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The student or parent filed taxes as Head of Household.

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The marriage date is 2015 or later

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The student or parent was not married in 2015 but is married at the time the FAFSA is filed, or is currently married to someone other than the individual included on the 2015 joint tax return. The current spouse’s income must be reported on the FAFSA.

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A joint tax return was filed for 2015 and the student or the student’s parents have filed the FAFSA with a marital status of separated, divorced or widowed.

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The student or parent is married but filed tax returns separately.

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 Tool.

Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool in the FAFSA 1. When completing the FAFSA you will see the “Financial Information” section, where it asks, “have you completed your 2015 IRS income tax return or another tax return?” If you select “Already Completed,” a series of questions will appear. These questions 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”

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, fill in the required information, and then click “Submit”.

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.

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT?

3. Next, you will 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 top stating “You have successfully transferred your 2015 IRS tax information.”

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:  Did you recently file your taxes? It may be too soon to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Electronically filed taxes may take 2-3 weeks; taxes filed via mail may take 6-8 weeks to become available.  Mismatched information – your personal Information, including address, must be entered as it appears on your 2015 Federal Tax Return.  If you get the “What went wrong?” message below please choose “Return to FAFSA” or you could lose all your date on the FAFSA. FAFSA could lose all of your data on the FAFSA.

CSI will receive your FAFSA information and send you information on your next step. Check your NetPartner for this information. If any additional information is required, please supply to CSI 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 2015 Federal Tax Return Transcript. If you are a dependent student and selected for verification, both you and your parent(s) may need to turn in tax transcripts. If parent is remarried stepparent tax transcript will be required as well. For married students who filed separately, both you and your spouse may need to provide tax transcripts.

How to Order A Tax Transcript Online:

 Go to www.irs.gov  Under “Tools”, click on “Get Transcript of your Tax 

Records.” Choose your order preference:  Online  Mail

 If you choose ONLINE you will be required to create an account and under “Get Transcript” you will want to order a tax RETURN transcript. Do not order an account transcript since we cannot accept this document  Select the 2015 year  Print your transcript

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If you choose MAIL enter your information and the IRS will mail your transcript within 5-10 business days.

Phone: 1-800-908-9946 or 1-800-829-1040

Tax transcript request form: Form 4506-T: (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf)

CSI Financial Aid Office Office Location: Taylor Building Matrix Phone Number: (208) 732-6273 Email: [email protected]