<p>Well having spoken to IRS on the phone and in person now 3 times, we finally have the information we've needed for the past 2+ weeks. You will not be able to retrieve info or get a transcript until IRS processes your taxes and they won't process your taxes until you pay taxes due.</p>
<p>Good to know. I had best write a check, huh?</p>
<p>That would have been nice to know a month ago (thanks Fafsa, thanks IRS)! I’ve been trying to use the data retrieval tool since 2 weeks after I filed on Feb 3. The check for our taxes owed is still sitting on my table, waiting to be mailed. Had I known that they needed our money before they’d process our taxes, I would have sent it immediately. Last night, after many days of frustration, I finally entered the data by hand and re-submitted the FAFSA. Oh well! Guess I’ll know better for next year!</p>
<p>Yeah we filed on 1/28 and have been trying and trying to no avail and I’ve been sitting on here whining. Now I know what the issue is. S has two schools that require the IRS retrieval and won’t allow hand input. Make sure it isn’t that way for your child too.</p>
<p>I filed online, and paid Happykid’s taxes with a credit card. There was a service fee of about $4 for that, but it meant that we were completely done! Next year, that might be a workable option for you.</p>
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Not sure if you knew this but if you efile you can have them debit your savings/checking account for the amount without incurring any cost. That’s what I did for my son but unfortunately I set the payment date for 04/13 so if crazymomster is correct, I won’t be able to use the tool until late April. :(</p>
<p>I saw that option too, but didn’t have the kid’s bank numbers on hand and it was just easier to “swipe” that Discover Card. I’m wondering if I’ll get points for paying taxes.</p>
<p>Why do you think the government developed the nifty data retrieval tool? To make your life more pleasant? No. It was because they know it was a way to then force millions of people to pay taxes in advance of the due date, thereby getting your money without paying you interest on it for having it before the due date of April 17 for this year. Otherwise your FA would basically be held hostage. The government is way craftier then we want to admit…Colleges that require the retrieval tool are probably getting a nice little kick back in doing so…</p>
<p>Actually, filing this way, we will get the taxes that were overpaid back a lot sooner. The unpaid Self-employment taxes from the big gig in December that Happykid owed were less than 10% of the total that the three of us will be getting back from the Feds and the State of Maryland. If there had been a “click here to transfer funds from your mom &dad’s overpaid accoun” option, I would have done that.</p>
<p>I’m more inclined to suspect ineptitude than deviousness</p>
<p>Well I am not paying them early so I will eventually find out if the retrieval works or if I can request a transcript. If not, I will let the school know I did what I could and they will have to wait on the payment.</p>