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What if I (an independent) and/or my spouse did not file a U.S. tax return, but did file outside of the U.S. or in a U.S. territory?

If you and/or your spouse filed a tax return in a foreign country or in a U.S. territory such as Puerto Rico, please submit signed copies of the tax returns with dollar amounts converted to U.S. currency.

FAQs Related to Receiving Aid

An individual who was required to file an IRS income tax return and was granted a filing extension by the IRS, must provide all the items below:

  • A copy of IRS Form 4868, ‘‘Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return,’’ that was filed with the IRS for the tax year;
  • A copy of the IRS’s approval of an extension beyond the automatic six-month extension;
  • Verification of Non-filing Letter (confirmation that the tax return has not yet been filed) from the IRS or other relevant tax authority dated on or after October 1;
  • A copy of IRS Form W–2 for each source of employment income received for the tax year and,
  • If self-employed, a signed statement certifying the amount of the individual’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and the U.S. income tax paid for the tax year.

Students and/or spouses can submit a completed and signed Independent Verification Worksheet to certify that s/he has not filed and is not required to file a income tax return, along with an IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter.

There are two ways to request an IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter from the IRS.

  1. By Mail: You and or your spouse can request an IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter be mailed to you by using Form 4506-T or by going to IRS.gov and clicking the “Get Transcript by Mail” option. Make sure to request an IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter. Please allow 5 to 10 calendar days for delivery of letter at the address the IRS has on file for you, from the date the IRS received your request.
  2. By telephone at 1-800-908-9946. Please allow 5 to 10 calendar days for delivery.

A more comprehensive guide on how to request and receive an IRS Non-Filing Letter can be found at How to Request IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter.

If income from work was earned and the W-2’s are not available, request a “Wage and Income Transcript” from the IRS. You will need to request it online. Complete the Form 4506-T or contact your employer or previous employer and request a new copy of W-2 form(s).

Individuals who are unable to obtain an IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter (VNLF) may submit a Tax Filing statement form to certify that an attempt was made to obtain the VNFL from the IRS.

Victims of Identity Theft must submit a Tax Return Database View Form (TRDBV) by contacting the IRS Specialized Identity Theft Assistance line at 1-800-908-4490. Along with the TRDBV form we will require a signed and dated statement from the tax filer indicating that he or she was a victim of identity theft and that the IRS has been made aware of the issue.

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool in the online FAFSA application is the fastest, easiest, most secure method of providing the required tax verification. You may log in to your FAFSA and submit a correction to use the IRS Retrieval Tool. (There are certain circumstances in which you and your spouse, if married, are not eligible to use the IRS retrieval such as when you and your spouse if married, filed separate tax returns, or your marital status has changed after December 31).

There are three ways to request a Tax Return Transcript from the IRS.

  1. Online. Click on “Get Your Tax Record”. Make sure to request a Tax Return Transcript not a Tax Account Transcript.
  2. By telephone at 1-800-908-9946. Please allow 5 to 10 calendar days for delivery.
  3. By Mail: You can request an IRS Tax Return Transcript be mailed to you by using Form 4506-T or by going to IRS.gov and clicking the “Get Transcript by Mail” option. Make sure to request a Tax Return Transcript not a Tax Account Transcript. Transcripts will arrive in 5 to 10 calendar days at the address the IRS has on file for you, from the date the IRS received your request.

Read a more comprehensive guide on how to request and receive a IRS Tax Transcript.

For the 2023-2024 FAFSA, if you and/or your spouse filed taxes in 2021, you must submit a copy of the 2021 income tax return or a copy of the 2021 tax return transcripts from the IRS. This is required to complete the verification process. Copies of student’s and spouse’s federal income tax returns are acceptable and will satisfy financial aid verification requirements. View the Signing Tax Documents for Verification and Valid Signatures on Forms and Taxes sections for helpful tips on document submission.

You must submit the verification of tax information if you were selected for verification, and on your ‘To-Do List” you have listed:

Independent Verification Worksheet:

  • This form is now available to complete and sign electronically. When you are completing this form, it will require the student and/or spouse, if married, to provide the tax information according to the answers provided on the FAFSA and if the IRS Retrieval Tool was used to retrieve the tax information.
  • According to the tax information you reported on your FAFSA, you and/or your spouse, if married, will be required to upload the tax information on the electronic verification worksheet form before signing and submitting the form electronically.

You should submit ALL of the following:

  • A copy of the IRS Tax Return Transcript or a signed copy the 1040 that was filed with the IRS.
  • A signed copy of the IRS Form 1040X that was filed with the IRS.
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