Tax Return Transcript

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), and transfer the data directly into their FAFSA from the IRS.

1. Visit www.fafsa.gov and click the blue Log In button
2. Enter the student's FSA ID
3. Click the Make Corrections link at the bottom
4. After creating a save key, click the Financial Information tab at the top
5. Click "Already filed taxes" and answer the questions. If eligible, you will be given a link that says "Link to IRS."
6. You will be redirected to the IRS website. Submit relevant financial information, making sure that it matches what you filed on your federal tax return. Dependent students will be required to provide parent information as well.
7. Check the box that says "Transfer my Information to the FAFSA." Click submit. You will be redirected back to the FAFSA.
8. Review the final page. Click NEXT again, then click "I agree" after reading through the terms and conditions. Click SUBMIT. The next page will show your confirmation number.
9. Allow 3-5 business days for the item to show as received in your portal, then up to 14 business days for processing once your file is complete.

***Students or parents who are married and filed as Married Filing Separately, are married and filed as Head of Household, filed a Form 1040X amended tax return, or filed a Puerto Rican or foreign tax return are not eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, and will need to enter their tax return information manually. See Special Filing Circumstances.

***Additionally, students or parents who filed their tax returns electronically within the last three weeks, or through the mail within the last eleven weeks, might need to either enter their tax return information manually or return at a later date to transfer their tax return information into the FAFSA, as their tax return information might not be available for transfer from the IRS.

If you are ineligible or otherwise choose not to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to retrieve tax information, you have 2 options:

• Submit a copy of your IRS Tax Return Transcript (or your parents' IRS Tax Return Transcript, if you are a dependent student), see instructions below.
• Submit a signed copy of your 2017 IRS form 1040, or your parent’s 2017 IRS form 1040.  Only submit the 2 page 1040 form with at least one signature at the bottom of page 2.

Important Information!

• If your tax filing status is "Married, Filing Jointly," please review your 1040 to see which spouse's name is listed in the top line. You will need to have that person's Social Security Number available as you request your Tax Return Transcript.
• If you are married and filed separately, please be sure to request two Tax Return Transcripts, yours and your spouse's.
• If you were married before December 31 of the requested tax year and your filing status is "Head of Household," you will likely be required to amend your taxes with the IRS before any financial aid can be finalized. Click here to see IRS regulations regarding who can use the "Head of Household" filing status. Amend your taxes before requesting a Tax Return Transcript.
• If you owe the IRS any payment of taxes, your Tax Return Transcript will not be available to you until a few weeks after your payment has been received by the IRS.

There are two ways to request a Tax Return Transcript, by phone or online.

Request Tax Return Transcripts Online

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Request Tax Return Transcripts by Phone

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