Hope College | Office of Financial Aid

Information about IRS Data Retrieval through the FAFSA and the Tax Transcript requirement

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IDRT) allows students and parents to access the IRS tax return information needed to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students and parents may transfer the data directly into their FAFSA on their initial completion or afterward through the FAFSA correction process. Your Federal Tax Return must be filed at least 2 weeks (if filing electronically) and 6 weeks (if filing paper return) before using the FAFSA IDRT.

This video show you how to use tthe IDRT by making a correction to your FAFSA.**

**(University of California at Santa Barbara has provided access to this video. It contains UCBS references that are not relevant to or representative of Hope College.)

If you are eligible to use the IDRT, we highly recommend using the tool for several reasons:

It’s the easiest way to provide your tax data.
It ensures that your FAFSA has accurate tax information.
You won’t need to provide other tax return information to the college.
If you do not use the IDRT and the college requests tax information you may be required to obtain an official tax transcript from the IRS.

You will not be able to use this option if:

Your marital status changes after December 31 of the same tax year.
You filed "married filing separately".
You filed an amended return.
You filed a foreign tax return.

In these cases, you will need to provide a Tax Transcript.

How to Obtain a Free Tax Return Transcript from the IRS

If your FAFSA is selected for verification and you did not use the IRS Data Retrieval option or you changed the IRS data, you will be required to request a tax return transcript from the IRS and submit it to the Office of Financial Aid. Personal copies of tax returns can no longer be accepted for verification.

You can order a tax return transcript online or by phone. Make sure you request a Tax Return Transcript. (DO NOT request a Tax Account Transcript or Record of Account because they cannot be used for financial aid verification purposes.)

To order by phone:
Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040, select your language, and then select the following prompts:
*Option 2 (Personal Income Taxes)
*Option 1 (Tax History)
*Option 2 (Tax Return Transcript)
*Enter and verify Social Security number (joint returns require both SSNs)
*Enter and verify the number of the street address
*Press 2 for Tax Return Transcript and indicate which year
To order online:
*Go to www.irs.gov, then select the following:
*Under Tools, click "Order a Tax Return or Account Transcript" located in the left-hand column
*Click Order a Transcript under Step 3
*Enter your SSN, Date of Birth, Street Address, and Zip Code; for joint returns enter the primary tax filer's information
*Click Continue
*Select "Return Transcript" and Tax Year
*Click Continue for confirmation

HAVING TROUBLE?
If you are eligible to use the data retrieval tool or request a transcript but are having difficulty doing so, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and follow these menu selections for help in obtaining a transcript:

After the call is answered and you have selected a language, select #2- Personal Taxes
From the next menu select #1– Forms and Help
From the next menu select #4 - Questions
A representative should take your call. Indicate that you need help obtaining a tax return transcript.