I’m unsure if this is appropriate to post but I really need help!
My colleges asked me to verify my FAFSA. The schools told me to use the IRS retrieval tool but when I put in my parents’ info, it says the information doesn’t match anything in their records. When I try to get an IRS Tax return transcript instead (since the IRS retrieval tool doesn’t work), it also tells me that the information doesn’t match.
At this point I’m really confused as to why everything isn’t working!! I’ve re-typed in my parents’ info countless times (capitalization, punctuation, and spelling all correct) but the outcome is the same. I don’t know how to finish the verification processes and I’m unsure of who to ask. My parents aren’t too knowledgable in these matters either so we’re unsure of who to contact.
I’m assuming this is for the 2018-2019 FAFSA and therefore 2016 tax information.
-Verify that your parents filed a federal tax return in 2016 with a Married Filing Joint status.
-Get a copy of that return and make sure that the Social Security Numbers and spelling and formatting of both names on the return are accurate and the same thing that you are using when trying to use the retrieval tool or request a transcript.
There are some times when you can’t use the retrieval tool. If your married parents didn’t file a joint return, if there has been fraud associated with your return (if someone tried to steal the refund), if they’ve had a change in marital status since 2016, if the return was filed using a tax ID number and not a SSN, etc.
Make sure it was a joint return in 2016, and that’s how you listed them on the FAFSA.
Make sure the parent you used for the FSA ID is listed first
Make sure the address is EXACT they same. If you used 123 So. Main St, don’t put in 123 South Main Street
When you requested the IRS transcript, it didn’t match with what? Don’t try to match that with the FAFSA. Request the transcript using the info on the filed tax return.
Having the exact address is really important … down to the correct abbreviations. If you don’t have a copy of the tax return to double-check the address, try this: Go to https://pe.usps.com/text/pub28/welcome.htm and look at the standardized abbreviations and zip codes. Try the standardized address format for your parents’ address.
I just searched up the IRS office near me, I’m unsure if they provide that because it wasn’t listed under their services under their site. Is every IRS office able to give the tax transcripts?
I did all of the above – checked the exact spelling, capitalization, etc. I’m a bit concerned whether they locked my account or something for 24-48 hours (I read something about that online earlier) because I might have entered my information wrong the first time.
If you do go to the IRS office, they will give you YOUR transcript (if you are 18), but not your parents.
Are you looking at the return that was actually filed or a draft? If it is a draft, the address might have be ‘updated’ when filing. I changed some info yesterday and first I changed the billing info, hit submit, and it came back “Do you want to use the USPS address?” which was all caps for both street address and city/state. Then I changed the shipping address and it did the same thing.
If I come with my mother (who was listed as spouse on the tax return), then would they give her the transcript?
I am positive I was looking at the return that was actually filed. At the moment, I’m just hoping that the IRS office will physically hand us the tax transcript if I go there next week.
If the problem is in the verification your parent’s identity on the IRS site for online access as the information does not match, you may request the tax transcript by form 4506-T. Sometimes this happen even if you have a print out of the 2016 tax. I requested the tax transcript for my daughter by faxing in the form and it took around 2 weeks to get the tax transcript.
Thank you! I’ll consider doing that option. I just wanted a quicker way of getting the transcript though because I need to submit my verification ASAP to see how much aid I would get. Do you know if it’s possible to turn in the form physically to our local IRS office? Or by mail?
You can submit the form by fax. The fax number is on the information page of the form. If the IRS office can help you to access the account online, you can get the transcript downloaded the same day. I could not get my online verification either ant they have to send me a code by mail to verify my account. It took a few days to get the code, but once I got the code I can log in immediately and download the transcript.
Where was the option to get the code? I’m going to try to set up an appointment with my local IRS office soon to ask for the transcript, or to ask if they can help me access it online.