Non-filer transcript from IRS - can't order it anywhere!

Paying for College
1

I’m trying to load docs to IDOC, and need to request a non-filer transcript for my son who didn’t need to file taxes last year.

  1. The IRS website says you can't set up an account right now to request it electronically. You have to order it by mail.
  2. When you try to order it by mail, it says it cannot do it, and gives you an 800 number to call.
  3. The 800 number has you enter information (making it appear you're getting to order it by phone), and then tells you it can't order it either.

How can they have technical difficulties for ALL three options? Anybody else having this problem?
Not sure what to do next.

2

You can make an appt at your local IRS (bring your child w/ his/her ID) office and they will give you one. I am not doing it until I’m asked to verify it b/c most schools will take a non-filer statement from you for now.

3

start here

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-return-transcript-types-and-ways-to-order-them

Download and Print IRS Form 4056T (make sure you check the box -for a non-filers statement). You can mail it or fax it to the IRS.

4

Yes, we had the same problem! We ended up downloading the form and sent it snail mail. Haven’t heard back, so we don’t know the results yet. It sounded like it could take six weeks.

5

Any mail that goes to a federal agency has to go through a fairly elaborate process of x-rays and scanning for substances before it hits the desk of a person who can actually work on it. Faxing might be faster.

6

It has been my experience with my kids that they got the transcripts/statements Faxing takes approx 2 weeks

7

FWIW, I faxed a printed copy of 4056T and got a form letter back 3 weeks later saying they couldn’t accept an “electronic” form, even though the website tells you to fax it in and provides fax number. I gave up at that point and am going to wait until a school asks for it. I’ve filled out the non filer statement on IDOCs in the meantime.

8

@ProfessorMom1

I would suggest you NOT wait until the schools asks. You know your kid didn’t file…and you likely will be asked for a non-filers statement. You can contact the financial aid office to see if this is a must for your kid’s financial aid application. If they colleges say YES, then get the thing NOW.

Here is why…

  1. some schools won’t process your kid’s aid if they require this and it’s not the file.
  2. Some schools won’t ask you until the 11th hour. At that point, this could very much hold up,the awarding and disbursal of institutional need based aid.

Really…is there an IRS office near you? Near enough? If so, as noted above, make an appointment.

At the very least…send the form in requesting the non-filers statement. It’s a lot longer than 6 weeks before matriculation decisions need to be made…but if you wait…you might not get this thing in time.

With regards to aid…never…and I mean NEVER wait to get something done that you know you will probably need. Better safe than sorry too.

9

My son didn’t have to file a tax return last year, but filed anyway (he had income, but wasn’t required to file and had no federal tax withheld or due).

It was free with Turbotax freedom edition.

10

@thumper1 I have contacted his schools and they’ve directed me to their school non filer statement / form. That’s all they said they needed. I’m the one who mentioned the IRS appointment and will do it eventually. FA apps aren’t even due till February and apps due 1/1 for all our schools. Our IRS office apparently will give us the statement the day we request it. Thank you for your suggestions.