The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) electronically transfers your Federal Tax Return information into your FAFSA.
- You can provide tax data with a click of a button.
- Allows you to retrieve your information instantly.
- It is the best way of ensuring that your FAFSA has accurate tax information.
Applicants who are filing an initial application, renewal application, or are making a correction to an initial financial aid application can use IRS DRT. Applicants and parents must also meet the following criteria:
- Must have a valid Social Security number.
- Must have filed a federal tax return.
- Marital status has not changed since December 31, 2020 (22-23 FAFSA filers), or December 31, 2021 (23-24 FAFSA filers).
Students and parents who:
- Have a marital status date of January 1, 2021 (22-23 FAFSA filers), or January 1, 2022 (23-24 FAFSA filers).
- Indicated they have not already filed a tax return or will not file a tax return.
- Are married but filed a tax return either as head of household or married filing a separate return.
- Have filed a Puerto Rican or foreign tax return.
If you are selected for verification and you or your parent did not use the IRS Data Retrieval tool, financial aid is required to request additional tax information. Students and parents, when asked by the college, are required to either:
- Correct their FAFSA and use the IRS Data Retrieval tool to transfer their income from the IRS.
- Submit a copy of their IRS Tax Return Transcript.
- Note: If the tax filer is unable to obtain a copy of their tax transcript, the college can accept a signed copy of the paper Tax Return (1040, 1040A or 1040EZ).
- Go to studentaid.gov and log in using your FSA ID
- Under the Apply for Aid tab select 'Complete the FAFSA Form'
- For an initial application click 'Start Here.' To correct an existing application click 'Log In.'
- In the Financial Information Section, select ‘Already completed’ from the drop down box (if you have already completed your tax return).
- Select the type of income tax return you filed.
- Select your tax filing status according to your tax return and click 'Link to IRS' to link your tax return data with the IRS.
- A message displays letting you know you are leaving FAFSA on the Web. Click ‘Proceed to IRS Site’ and you will be transferred to the IRS website to access your tax information.
- Your first name, last name, Social Security number, birth date and tax filing status will be pre-filled. You will be required to enter your street address exactly as it appears on the tax return you are trying to link. Click ‘Submit.’
- The IRS will securely transfer your tax information to the Department of Education to populate your FAFSA. At the bottom of the page check, ‘Transfer My Tax Information into the FAFSA form’ box and click ‘Transfer Now.’ This will return you to the FAFSA on the Web application and populate the answers to the appropriate FAFSA questions. Note: For your protection, the income information from your tax return is not displayed.
- A message will appear indicating you have successfully transferred your tax information. It is important that you continue through the remainder of the steps to submit your financial aid application.
Return to top.