2019-2020 INSTRUCTIONS FOR VERIFYING TAX INFORMATION
The best way to verify income is by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) that is part of the FAFSA on the
Web. If you have not already used the tool, go to www.fafsa.gov, log in and select “Make FAFSA Corrections."
In the Financial Information section of the form, follow the instructions to determine if you are eligible to use
the IRS DRT to transfer 2017 IRS income tax information into your FAFSA. You should be able to use the IRS
DRT within 2-3 weeks after filing your return. Both the student and parent, if dependent, should use the DRT.
If you are unable or choose not to use the IRS DRT, you may provide a copy of the 2017 IRS
1040/1040A/1040EZ. It must be signed by the tax filer in the signature line. Do not provide a state tax
return. Or, you may obtain an IRS tax return transcript. In most cases, for electronic filers, a 2017 IRS Tax
Return Transcript is available from the IRS within 2-3 weeks after filing. If you filed a paper return, expect
8-11 weeks for your transcript to be available.
To request an IRS tax return transcript, go to www.IRS.gov, under the Tools heading on the IRS homepage,
and click “Get a Tax Transcript by Mail.” Make sure you request the “IRS Tax Return Transcript” and NOT the
“IRS Tax Account Transcript.” Use the Social Security Number and date of birth of the first person listed on
the 2017 tax return and the address on file with the IRS (the address used when your 2017 IRS tax return was
filed). Provide the transcript to the financial aid office along with your Verification Worksheet.
If you are unable or choose not to use the DRT and cannot access your IRS transcript online, you must call the
IRS at 1-800-908-9946 to receive a transcript.
Special Situations:
Amended Returns - If you filed an amended tax return, you must submit an IRS Tax Return Transcript AND a
signed copy of your Form 1040-X, "Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return," along with your completed
Verification Worksheet.
Victims of IRS Identity Theft - A victim of IRS tax-related identity theft must provide a Tax Return DataBase
View (TRDBV) transcript obtained from the IRS, or any other IRS tax transcript that includes all of the income
and tax information required to be verified AND a statement signed and dated by the tax filer indicating that
he or she was a victim of IRS tax-related identity theft and that the IRS is aware of the tax-related identity
theft.
Non-IRS Income Tax Returns - An individual who filed or will file a 2017 income tax return with Puerto Rico,
another U.S. territory, or with a foreign country must provide a transcript that was obtained at no cost from
the relevant taxing authority that includes all of the tax filer’s income and tax information required to be
verified for the 2017 tax year OR a signed copy of the 2017 income tax return along with the Verification
Worksheet.
Filing Extensions – An individual who has been granted a filing extension by the IRS must provide a copy of
IRS 4868, “Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return,” that was
filed with the IRS for the 2017 tax year, a copy of the IRS’s approval of an extension, AND a copy of the W-2
for each source of employment income received for the 2017 tax year and, if self-employed, a signed
statement certifying the amount of the individual’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and the U.S. income tax paid
for the 2017 tax year.
