<p>The colleges must require it if you are selected for verification and the selection was based on an income-related item. If the school doesn’t require that all students use the link when applying for aid, they will only require it if the student is selected for verification based on an income-related item. However, it is easier to do the link when it is available to you just in case you end up having to do it for verification purposes (plus, you will know that your info is on the FAFSA correctly). </p>
<p>The reason to get the FAFSA in early even if it takes awhile to link is because the FAFSA is established on the first date you file. If your school has limited aid, they will award by computer using first-come, first-served logic.</p>
<p>We filed our taxes electronically but have not found button to link to IRS on FAFSA form. Boy, do we feel stupid. Does it not “appear” until a certain amt of time has passed after filing? Do we need to use a parent pin to make this option appear? </p>
<p>Would greatly appreciate hearing from someone who has already successfully used the IRS data retrieval function – if in fact it DID become available today. We are ready to submit!</p>
<p>bookmobile, my understanding is that you can use the link 10-14 days after you have filed your taxes electronically. I don’t know if that is after the 48 hours for the taxes to be accepted or if the time frame begins the day you file the taxes. I believe, not sure, but you should receive an email when the IRS link is available.</p>
<p>I’m new to all this, anxious, wondering whether i should file my taxes first or do the FAFSA first . . .but this thread alerts me i better check with colleges about the IRS link. thanks.</p>
<p>That link to Utah is very helpful. I wonder if you are able to go back in AFTER filing FAFSA to do it, as I didn’t see any links while I was filing.</p>
<p>Stil a little confused as well. Filed the FAFSA in early January, then just made corrections the day that I filed taxes a few days ago. Am I supposed to go in and “correct the information 10-14 days” after my return was accepted so I can link with the IRS directly?</p>
<p>I’m confused too. I did my taxes, fafsa and CSS last weekend and THEN I heard about this “linking”. So basically, I sent the Fafsa in the old fashioned way.</p>
<p>Should I now wait the 10-14 days and link it and send the Fafsa again??</p>
<p>I just emailed my son’s college - I’ll let you know their response.</p>
<p>“It is not necessary to do this “linking” with the IRS. If you have submitted the FAFSA in its entirety, as well as the CSS Profile, you will be considered for financial aid.”</p>
<p>The issue is that programmers have not completed their work on time, hence the link that was to be there on 2/1 still is not. I don’t know where teh problem lies (FAFSA or IRS) but we are left hanging.</p>
<p>IMHO this should have been ready to go on 1/1/12 when they made the form available. Anything else just adds confusion and complexity to the process.</p>
<p>Chill, folks. You can file your FAFSA the “old fashioned” way for now. Once the link becomes available, you can do the transfer to satisfy any possible future need for the info to be transferred. The FAFSA has no way of knowing whether or not you filed your taxes. You will be given the option to transfer when the link is ready for the year. If your personal return is not yet ready in the IRS system to allow transfer, you will receive a message once you get in the IRS system that tells you your return has not been found. Just try again in a few days.</p>
<p>Regarding the need to do the link: If you are not required to link due to your particular verification status, or if you are not required to link because your school requires you to do so … then you will not “have” to link. It’s just often easier to do it just in case.</p>