IRS Direct Data Exchange

If you were selected for the Verification Process, IRS Direct Data Exchange is the recommended method of providing tax documentation. IRS Direct Data Exchange is a tool that is built in to the FAFSA, that allows you and/or your contributors to pull federal tax information directly from the Internal Revenue Service's system into your FAFSA. That tax filing status of you and your contributors will determine what will be required. Please note that every student and contributor is encouraged to consent to transferring tax information from the IRS, even if you were not required to file a 2024 tax return. If you did not file a tax return for 2024, the IRS will transfer that information into the FAFSA. 

Dependent Students

Contributing Parents File Married Filing Joint Return

• If your contributing parent (the parent that provides most of your financial support) is married and filed a joint tax return for the base tax year (2024 tax year for the 2026-27 FAFSA), then only one contributing parent will need to consent and transfer the joint tax information into your FAFSA. 

Contributing Parents File Married Filing Separately

• If your contributing parent (the parent that provides most of your financial support) is married and filed separate  tax returns for the base tax year (2024 tax year for the 2026-27 FAFSA), then both contributing parents will need  to consent and transfer their individual tax information into your FAFSA. 

Independent Students

Student is Not Married

• You may consent to transfer your tax information directly into your FAFSA using the IRS Direct Data Exchange Tool. 

Student is Married Filing Joint Return

• If you and your spouse were married and filed a joint tax return for the base tax year (2024 tax year for the 2026-27 FAFSA), then you will be able to consent and transfer the joint tax information for both you and your spouse into your FAFSA using the IRS Direct Data Exchange. 

Student is Married Filing Separately

• If you are married now, but were not married in the base tax year, OR if you and your spouse filed Married Filing Separate tax returns for the base tax year (2024 tax year for the 2026-27 FAFSA), then both you and your spouse will need  to consent and transfer your individual tax information into your FAFSA. 

If you are unable to complete IRS Direct Data Exchange, please click here for Alternative Tax Documentation information.