IRS Data Retrieval Process

IRS Data Retrieval Process

The best way to submit student and/or parent federal tax data is by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) that is part of FAFSA on the Web at fafsa.gov. The IRS DRT will update your FAFSA with your federal tax information directly from the IRS.

In most cases, for electronic filers, IRS income tax return information for the IRS DRT is available within 2-3 weeks after the electronic IRS income tax return has been accepted by the IRS. Generally, for filers of paper IRS income tax returns, the IRS income tax return information is available for the IRS DRT within 8-11 weeks after the paper IRS income tax return has been received by the IRS.

If you have filed your federal tax return prior to completing your FAFSA:

1. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov
2. Answer the question regarding your tax returns as “already filed.”
3. In most cases you will be presented with the option to use the IRS DRT tool. There are some exceptions where the IRS DRT will not be available to you and we detail those below.
4. Sign and Submit your FAFSA.

If you complete your FAFSA prior to completing your tax return:

Once you file your tax return:

1. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov
2. Update your FAFSA to indicate that you have “already filed” your tax returns.
3. You will be presented with the option to use the IRS DRT to update your FAFSA.
4. Provide your (and parent signature) and Submit.
5. An updated FAFSA will be forwarded to LMU to fulfill our request for your tax information and you will receive an updated Student Aid Report (SAR)

Important: Once you use the IRS Data Retrieval Process to update your FAFSA with parent and/ or student tax data do not make any further corrections or changes to your FAFSA.

For 2016-2017, the IRS Data Retrieval process will be available in early February 2016.

When you cannot use the IRS DRT Tool:

You will not be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Process if you meet any of the following criteria, and will need to submit an IRS tax transcript to the Financial Aid Office (see information on requesting a Tax Transcript):

• You indicate on your FAFSA that your tax return has not been completed.
• You have filed an amended return.
• You are married but filed a return as head of household or married filing separate return.
• FAFSA indicates a marriage date of Jan 2016 or later.
• A foreign or Puerto Rican tax return was filed.
• First three digits of the SSN is 666.
• Parent does not have a valid SSN.
• If parent only entered all zeros for the SSN.