irs-drt-overview

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool, which allows applicants for federal student aid to automatically import data from the federal tax filings into their FAFSA, has been suspended by the IRS.   At the present time we do not have any information regarding if or when the tool will be reinstated.

The Office of Student Financial Assistance, in being consistent with federal regulations governing the processing and verification of the FAFSA, may require the federal IRS Tax Transcript.  In order to review a student’s application for federal and institutional student aid, a student chosen for verification by the US Department of Education should request an IRS Tax Transcript (for both themselves and for parents, if dependent) as soon as possible, as processing time for the IRS may be lengthy. 

The FAFSA on the Web (FAFSA) includes an option for applicants to pull IRS data directly into the FAFSA. Applicants who are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval process are linked to an IRS Web site from FAFSA on the Web. This saves time previously spent to finding the required information on tax returns and ensures accuracy of reporting.

If an applicant is unable or chooses not to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, they should complete the FAFSA to the best of their ability using tax return(s), end of year pay records or other financial documents.  If the FAFSA was initially filed before tax returns were completed or before the data was available through the FAFSA, we recommend applicants login and retrieve the actual IRS data and submit a correction to the FAFSA which will in turn be sent to GW.

Applicants are unable to utilize the IRS Data if:

• the applicant or applicant’s parent had a change in marital status after the end of the tax year .
• the applicant or parent filed tax returns as head of household;
• the married parents of a dependent appliant filed separate tax returns; or
• a married independent applicant and spouse filed separate tax returns;