The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) allows students and parents who filed a U.S tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to access the IRS tax return information needed to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and transfer the data directly into their FAFSA.
If you are eligible to use the IRS DRT, we highly recommend using the tool for several reasons:
If you use the IRS DRT to transfer your tax return information from the IRS, the information will not display on your FAFSA. For your protection, the answer to each question is replaced with "Transferred from the IRS."
Students or parents who are married and filed as Married Filing Separately, are married and filed as Head of Household, or filed a Puerto Rican or foreign tax return are not eligible to use the IRS DRT, and will need to enter their tax return information manually.
The IRS DRT allows you to securely transfer original IRS tax return information, but not Form 1040X amended tax return information. If you filed a Form 1040X amended tax return, you may need to work with your Financial Aid Administrator to ensure that any information you corrected on Form 1040X is reflected in the amounts transferred to your FAFSA.
If you are ineligible or otherwise choose not to use the IRS DRT to retrieve tax information, your college may require a copy of your IRS Tax Return Transcript or a signed copy of your IRS tax return and applicable schedules 1, 2, and 3 (or your parents’ IRS Tax Return Transcript or signed tax return, if you are a dependent student).
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) Electronically Transfers Your Federal Tax Return Information Into Your FAFSA Form.
Whenever possible use the IRS Data Retrieval Process on the initial FAFSA submittal. If the financial aid office is requesting a Tax Return transcript from you and if you are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you may use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool instead of providing a copy of the transcript or signed tax return.
If you have questions about the IRS Data Retrieval Tool or about Tax Return Transcripts please call Financial and Registration Services at (802) 468-6070.