What is the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)?
The IRS DRT is an option that the Department of Education and the IRS has made available to students and families who file a federal tax return with the IRS, The IRS DRT allows financial tax return information from the IRS website to be loaded directly in to required, corresponding, financial questions on the FAFSA website.
Why should I use the IRS DRT?
First, tax return information will populate the FAFSA financial questions for you automatically. You may save time and ensure accuracy of the transferred information.
Second, if you are selected for verification, using the IRS DRT satisfies the requirement to send our office a copy of the IRS tax return transcript. This will save you extra steps in receiving and mailing the IRS tax return transcript.
Finally, this will allow our office time to determine aid the student may be eligible for and have that aid finalized and ready to credit to the student's account.
Am I eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval process?
Yes. The information on my/my parent(s) tax return is correct and has not changed.
No. I and/or my parent(s) filed an amended tax return or my/my parent(s) marital status has changed since tax return was filed.
How soon will my tax information be available once I have filed my return?
If you filed electronically, your information should be available on the IRS website approximately two weeks after the IRS has processed your return.
If you mailed your return, your information should be available on the IRS website approximately eight weeks after the IRS has processed your return.
What if I use the IRS match process and then change the information?
You will be required to go to www.fafsa.gov and complete the IRS Data Retrieval process again, or you may choose to submit IRS tax return transcript(s) to our office. We strongly encourage you to use the retrieval process.
Can I still use the IRS Data Retrieval process to update my tax information?
Yes. Go to www.fafsa.gov and update your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval tool.
Should I use the IRS Data Retrieval process even though I already updated my tax information?
Yes. We strongly encourage you to use the retrieval process even though you have updated your tax information.
What if I chose not to use the IRS Data Retrieval process?
Send our office a copy of your IRS Tax Return Transcript(s).
