IRS Income Information

Due to the suspension of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT), the delays in obtaining tax transcripts, and the verification of non-tax filing status letters, the Department of Education has relaxed some of the verification procedures for schools.

Effective April 24, 2017
  • If you or your parents were asked to complete the "Student Tax Filing Verification" or "Parent Tax Filing Verification" forms, you will now be able to:
submit a signed copy of the 2015 Tax Return, along with the Verification form
  • If you or your parents were asked to obtain "Verification of Non Tax Filing Status" letter, you will no longer need to submit Form 4506-T to the IRS.  You are now only required to complete the Non-Tax Filing Verification Form and submit your W-2's, if required. 

 Verification of Filing Taxes

    • A tax return transcript may be available 2-3 weeks after the tax return has been filed electronically, and accepted by the IRS.
    • A tax return may be available 8-11 weeks after the tax return has been filed by paper, and accepted by the IRS.
    • Copy of 1040 form is not accepted (refer to Effective April 24, 2017 notice above)

A tax filer will be unable to obtain an IRS tax return transcript if he or she:

    • Has been determined by the IRS to be a victim of identity theft.
    • Filed a tax return with Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Republic of Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia.
    • Filed a tax return in a foreign country.

Option 1 - IRS Data Retrieval 

The IRS Data Retrieval tool is currently down for several weeks. Students/parents will need to obtain their tax return transcripts (options 2 or 3) to complete the verification process). 

IRS Data Retrieval Instructions

If you used the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, view your MySJSU to make sure the request is removed from your To-Do List. Allow 3-5 days after using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office if the request has not been removed from your To-Do List.
 

Who is NOT Eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool?

  • Parents who do not have a social security number.
  • A married, independent applicant and spouse who filed separate tax returns.
  • The married parents of a dependent student who filed separate tax returns. 
  • An applicant, or an applicant's parents, if they had a change in marital status after the end of the requested tax year.
  • An applicant or parent or spouse who filed an amended tax return. In this case, submit a tax return transcript obtained from the IRS and a signed IRS form 1040X, "Amended U.S. individual tax return."
  • Student's parents are unmarried but living together.  

OPTION 2 - Request Online

OPTION 3 - Request by MAIL

(Tax Return Transcript and/or Wage and Income Transcript)

  • IRS form 4506-T - mail or fax form to the IRS (fax numbers are listed on the 4506-T form).  

If you are unable to use the IRS data retrieval tool function on the FAFSA, or request a tax return transcript by using form 4506-T, you MUST contact the IRS by calling:

1-800-908-9946.

Tax return transcript orders can take up to 3 weeks to receive copies.