If your FAFSA application is selected to be verified, UW-River Falls is required to confirm your tax information and will send you a Verification Worksheet. You can also see if you are selected for verification in your To-Do List in eSIS. By federal regulation, we are no longer able to accept copies of your federal tax return (including 2011 IRS Form 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ) as we have in the past. Instead, you can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool in your FAFSA by selecting Link to IRS to automatically transfer tax information to UW-River Falls. If you are not eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you must submit your 2011 Federal IRS Tax Return Transcript to our office. If you are not required to file a US or Puerto Rican Income Tax Return, you must report any income earned in 2011 on the Verification Worksheet. These three scenarios are described in more detail below.
IRS Data Retrieval Tool Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool is the simplest way to transfer your tax information to UW-River Falls because you do not need to request paperwork from the IRS. To use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, watch this 2-minute video on navigating the screens in your FAFSA.
You'll notice there are reasons why you may not be eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (i.e. married filing separately, filed an amended tax return, applied for filing extension, tax return was recently filed). If you are not able to do the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, the FAFSA will bypass the option to Link to IRS, and you must follow the directions below about requesting an IRS Tax Return Transcript.
IRS Tax Return Transcript You can request your IRS Tax Return Transcript online or by calling 1-800-908-9946. Make sure to request the Tax Return Transcript. However, if you have filed an amended tax return, you must ALSO request a Tax Account Transcript. You will need your Social Security Number, date of birth, and the address you used on your return. It takes up to two weeks for IRS income information to be available for electronic tax return filers, and up to eight weeks for paper tax return filers.
Once you receive your Tax Return Transcript from the IRS, you must submit it along with your Verification Worksheet to our Financial Aid Office, 410 S Third St, 315 North Hall, River Falls WI 54022; or by fax to 715-425-0708.
*If you or your parents filed as "Married Filing Separately," be sure to request a transcript for both filers.
*If you or your parents applied for a tax filing extension, the verification process cannot be complete until you have filed your taxes. You cannot be awarded financial aid until the verification process is complete.
Not required to file a Federal tax return If you and/or your parents are not required to file a Federal tax return, you need to indicate this by checking the appropriate box on the Verification Worksheet. You also need to list any employers and income you received in 2011. If you received income in 2011, you must also attach a copy of your W-2 from each employer.
*If you are unable to immediately use the Data Retrieval Tool in your FAFSA or to obtain an IRS Tax Return Transcript for any number of reasons (reasons you may be unable to use either method include applicants/parents who owe taxes or have set up a tax payment plan), please note the following:
On April 16, the US Department of Education notified all schools that through July 15, 2012 Financial Aid Offices may accept a signed copy of the relevant (i.e. student, spouse, or parent) 2011 IRS Tax Return Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ as documentation of tax information for the 2012-13 academic year. If this applies to you, please send us the required SIGNED copies of your tax forms as soon as possible along with your completed Verification Worksheet so we can complete your verification process.
