Families should always use the DRT when completing their FAFSA.  Families who do not use the tool should request their IRS Tax Return Transcript(s) immediately after filing via www.irs.gov.  If the student is selected for Federal verification, the Financial Aid Office will request you and/or your parent(s) to submit the Tax Return Transcript(s) or a signed copy of your Federal Tax Return (1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ). 

Utilizing the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT):

The IRS DRT automatically transfers tax information into the FAFSA form. Be sure to consider this option if it’s offered to you. 

• The IRS DRT takes you to the IRS website, where you’ll need to provide your name and other information exactly as you provided it on your tax return. Some information will be prepopulated from your FAFSA form.
• At the IRS site, you’ll see a page that indicates that your tax information is available. (For security and privacy protections, you won’t see the actual information.) You can choose to import your information into the FAFSA form, or you can cancel your request and return to the FAFSA site.
• If you choose to import your information into the FAFSA form, you’ll find that on the FAFSA site, instead of your tax information being displayed, you’ll see “Transferred from the IRS" in the appropriate fields. You won’t be able to make changes to those answers.

Helpful Resources:

Simple Steps to Transfer Tax Information into your FAFSA Form