Students and/or parents that are required to submit tax information must either use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when filing the FAFSA or request a Tax Return Transcript directly from the IRS. Tax return transcripts can be requested online, through the U.S. Mail using Form 4506-T or by calling the IRS at 1-800-908-9946. Once the tax return transcript is received, submit a copy to the Financial Aid Office.
Go to: Get Transcript
Follow the on-screen prompts which will solicit information from the student and parent. Immediately below are the three screens the student/parent will be taken to. For more information on completing each screen, see steps 4-6.
Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax ID Number (ITIN) ITINs are issued to individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Date of birth (day, month, 4 digit year)
Street address - Mailing address rom your latest tax return (ususally the year before)
Zip code - If you live in a country that has no postal code you will not be able to order transcripts online. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or outside the US at 267-941-1000 to order a transcript.
Other transcripts you may need to submit:
If you filed an Amended tax return (Form 1040X) for the same tax year you are submitting for verification, please submit a copy of that form.
An Account Transcript, which you should only request if it is specifically asked for by the Financial Aid Office.
IMPORTANT: Once you receive the transcripts, you must submit a copy to the Financial Aid Office. The transcripts are double-sided; therefore, be sure to copy/fax/scan both sides before submitting.
There is a processing delay between when taxes are filed and when the tax transcripts can be ordered. Review the statements below to ensure you have waited the appropriate length of time and that you do not owe taxes. If none of the below conditions apply to you, you will need to call the IRS to request the transcript and/or troubleshoot.
Electronic tax return submissions take about 2 weeks before they are available to request a tax transcript.
Paper tax return submissions take about 6-8 weeks.
If you owe money to the IRS (not due a refund), there is a known processing delay by the IRS.
Pay your tax liability as soon as possible and then request a tax transcript. The IRS has indicated that tax returns for tax filers that owe a balance will not have a transcript available until May or later.
Verify you have entered the information correctly on the online form.
Tax Return Transcript - A tax return transcript shows most line items from your tax return (Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) as it was originally filed, including any accompanying forms and schedules. It does not reflect any changes you, your representative, or the IRS made after the return was filed. In many cases, a return transcript will meet the requirements of lending institutions such as those offering mortgages and for applying for student loans.
Tax Account Transcript - A tax account transcript shows any payments and any later adjustments either you or the IRS made after the tax return was filed. This transcript shows basic data, including marital status, type of return filed, adjusted gross income and taxable income.
You must submit the tax return transcript and all W-2 statements (both parties) for the year indicated. The Financial Aid Office can subsequently adjust the FAFSA to include only the pertinent income (student and custodial parent). Note that proof of separate residence will also be required (utility bills, signed leases, etc.).
Victims of identity theft who cannot get a return transcript or use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool must call the IRS’s Identity Protection Specialized Unit (IPSU) toll-free number at 800-908-4490. After the IPSU authenticates the tax filer’s identity, she can ask the IRS to mail her an alternate paper tax return transcript known as the TRDBV (Transcript DataBase View) that will look different than a regular transcript but that is official and can be used for verification.
In addition the Transcript DataBase View, victims of identity theft must self-certify that they are the victim of identity theft and that they have notified the IRS.
An IRS Verification of Nonfiling Letter can be obtained online using the IRS Get Transcript service. If you are unable to obtain the letter online online for whatever reason, it must be obtained by completing and checking box 7 on the IRS Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, and mailing it to the IRS. If appropropriate, a similar confirmation from another taxing authority (e.g., a U.S. territory or a foreign government) is also acceptable.
We cannot accept the following forms in place of the IRS Verification of Nonfiling Letter:
How to Complete Form 4506-T
Verification is intended to improve the accuracy of the information submitted on the FAFSA, thereby, adding integrity to the Federal Student Aid programs.
Approximately 30% of all students are chosen to go through the verification process (true at all colleges and universities nationwide). Some students are chosen randomly while others are chosen due to discrepant information provided on the FAFSA. Some students are selected after they have received an award letter. It is not unusual for a student to go through the process several years in a row.
►►► Applicable for Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024
| 1. |
Completed 2023-2024 Verification Worksheet. |
| 2. |
Student's 2021 signed federal tax return OR federal tax transcript If you are self-employed or have partnership or S-Corp income, please also submit IRS Schedules 1, 2, 3, C, and E, if filed. ► If the student worked but did not file taxes, they must check the appropriate box on the verification worksheet and submit their W-2 statements from 2021. |
| 3. |
Parents' 2021 signed federal tax return OR federal tax transcript. If your parents are self-employed or have partnership or S-Corp income, please also submit IRS Schedules 1, 2, 3, C, and E, if filed. ► If the parent worked but did not file taxes, submit your parents’ W-2 statements from 2021 and request a tax return transcript from the IRS to confirm their non-filing status for 2021. If the IRS is unable to furnish the non-filing status letter, your parent must submit a signed statement attesting to this fact.
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| 4. |
Other Income Explanation (if applicable): Parents or students that have income listed on their tax return as "Other Income" must submit a statement or documentation explaining what the source of the income is (e.g.: is it income from work?). For example, gambling winnings or debt cancellations are often included under "Other Income"; the Financial Aid Office needs to be able to distinguish what type of income this is. |
►►► Applicable for Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024
| 1. |
Completed 2023-2024 Verification Worksheet. |
| 2. |
Student's 2021 signed federal tax return OR federal tax return transcript If you are self-employed or have partnership or S-Corp income, please also submit IRS Schedules 1, 2, 3, C, and E, if filed. ► If the student worked but did not file taxes: Submit your W-2 statements from 2021 and request a tax return transcript to confirm your non-filing status for 2021. If the IRS is unable to furnish the non-filing status letter, you must submit a signed statement attesting to this fact.
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| 3. |
Spouse's 2021signed federal tax return or federal tax transcript (if married) If your spouse is self-employed or have partnership or S-Corp income, please also submit IRS Schedules 1, 2, 3, C, and E, if filed. ► If the spouse worked but did not file taxes: Submit their W-2 statements from 2021 and request a tax return transcript to confirm their non-filing status for 2021. If the IRS is unable to furnish the non-filing status letter, your spouse must submit a signed statement attesting to this fact.
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| 4. |
Other Income Explanation (if applicable): Students that have income listed on their tax return as "Other Income" must submit a statement or documentation explaining what the source of the income is (e.g.: is it income from work?). For example, gambling winnings or debt cancellations are often included under "Other Income"; the Financial Aid Office needs to be able to distinguish what type of income this is. |
►►► Applicable for Fall 2022, Spring 2023, and Summer 2023
| 1. |
Completed 2022-2023 Verification Worksheet. |
| 2. |
Student's 2020 signed federal tax return OR federal tax transcript If you are self-employed or have partnership or S-Corp income, please also submit IRS Schedule C and/or E. ► If the student worked but did not file taxes, they must check the approproriate box on the verification worksheet and submit their W-2 statements from 2020. |
| 3. |
Parents' 2020 signed federal tax return OR federal tax transcript. If your parents are self-employed or have partnership or S-Corp income, please also submit IRS Schedule C and/or E. ► If the parent worked but did not file taxes, submit your parents’ W-2 statements from 2020 and request a tax return transcript from the IRS to confirm their non-filing status for 2020. If the IRS is unable to furnish the non-filing status letter, your parent must submit a signed statement attesting to this fact.
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| 4. |
Other Income Explanation (if applicable): Parents or students that have income listed on their tax return as "Other Income" must submit a statement or documentation explaining what the source of the income is (e.g.: is it income from work?). For example, gambling winnings or debt cancellations are often included under "Other Income"; the Financial Aid Office needs to be able to distinguish what type of income this is. |
►►► Applicable for Fall 2022, Spring 2023, and Summer 2023
| 1. |
Completed 2022-2023 verification worksheet. |
| 2. |
Student's 2020 signed federal tax return OR federal tax return transcript If you are self-employed or have partnership or S-Corp income, please also submit IRS Schedule C and/or E. ► If the student worked but did not file taxes: Submit your W-2 statements from 2020 and request a tax return transcript to confirm your non-filing status for 2020. If the IRS is unable to furnish the non-filing status letter, you must submit a signed statement attesting to this fact.
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| 3. |
Spouse's 2020 signed federal tax return or federal tax transcript (if married) If your spouse is self-employed or have partnership or S-Corp income, please also submit IRS Schedule C and/or E. ► If the spouse worked but did not file taxes: Submit their W-2 statements from 2018 and request a tax return transcript to confirm their non-filing status for 2020. If the IRS is unable to furnish the non-filing status letter, your spouse must submit a signed statement attesting to this fact.
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| 4. |
Other Income Explanation (if applicable): Students that have income listed on their tax return as "Other Income" must submit a statement or documentation explaining what the source of the income is (e.g.: is it income from work?). For example, gambling winnings or debt cancellations are often included under "Other Income"; the Financial Aid Office needs to be able to distinguish what type of income this is. |
Students will only receive paper notification if they have not responded to the electronic notifications, which may cause a delay in the processing of their aid. These notifications will instruct students to review their Banner Eligibility Requirements. Students should refer to the Check Requirements Using Banner guide for assistance.
Please wait to be contacted by the Financial Aid Office before submitting any verification documents. A notification on the Student Aid Report does not necessarily mean that Buffalo State will require verification documentation.
For students and parents granted a tax filing extension, submit IRS Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File a U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. You must also provide a copy of all your W-2 forms or, if self-employed, a signed statement with the amount of their AGI and their U.S. income taxes paid. These documents will replace the tax return transcript.
A small number of financial aid applicants will be required to complete the Statement of Educational Purpose Form. The US Department of Education selects which students must complete the statement and colleges and universities cannot disburse aid until the statement is received.
The Statement of Educational Purpose certifies the student's identity and attests that the student will only use federal student aid for educational purposes and for the cost of attending college during the specified academic year. Students will be notified by the Financial Aid Office if they must complete the Statement of Educational Purpose and they may download it through their Banner account. The form must be notarized or completed in-person at the Financial Aid Office. Students must present a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo identification such as a passport or driver's license.
The deadline to submit verification documents is dependent on the type of federal student aid the students is eligible to receive (see chart below). If the deadline is not met, the student becomes ineligible for that particular aid program. This cannot be appealed and is a federal requirement.
| Federal Aid Program | Verification Deadline |
| Direct Subsidized / Unsubsidized Loan |
The verification process must be completed before the student stops attending on a half-time (6.0 credits) basis in the academic year. |
| Federal Pell Grant |
Student have up to 120 days after they stop attending in the academic year to complete verification to receive a Pell Grant, if they otherwise qualify. |
| SEOG Grant |
The verification process must be completed before the student stops attending in the academic year and the student must also be eligible for a Pell grant. |
| Federal Work-Study |
Students are not permitted to work if they have not complied with verification. |
| Federal Parent PLUS or Graduate PLUS Loans |
The verification process must be completed before the student stops attending on a half-time, 6.0 credits, basis in the academic year. |
Once all the required documentation is received, an adviser will review the information and submit corrections to the federal processor as needed. Be advised that sometimes after the documentation is reviewed, it becomes clear that additional documents are needed. Therefore, students should check their Banner requirements frequently. Once the corrected FAFSA is received by Buffalo State, federal aid can be offered and/or disbursed to the student. During peak times (semester start-up), processing time can take 4 weeks to have aid offered. Therefore, students are strongly encouraged to submit their FAFSA by March 1 to allow ample processing time for the following Fall or Spring semesters. During non-peak times, students that have submitted all documentation are typically reviewed within one to two weeks and aid offered accordingly.
No, verification must be completed first. The only exception is if a student is selected after federal aid has paid to their account; those funds will not be sent back to ED unless completion of verification necessitates it or the student fails to submit the required documents.
If you were selected because there was a clear error on your FAFSA, completing it more accurately in a subsequent year may prevent you from being selected again. There is no way to avoid being randomly selected. Using the IRS Data Retrieval can minimize the documents required if selected for verification. Individuals that use the data retrieval are typically not required to submit their federal tax return transcript.
Dependent students can be declared independent by the financial aid office if there are unusual or extenuating circumstances that would warrant such a change. Before the financial aid office will grant a dependency override the student must be able to provide third party testimony to justify the request for an override. This applies to federal aid eligibility only. To receive a dependency override for state aid students must contact HESC.
Dependency overrides are most often granted in the case of parental abuse or abandonment where the parents can't be found or shouldn't be contacted. They are not granted simply because the student is self-supporting, the parent's do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes, the parents refuse to provide information on the FAFSA or the parents refuse to contribute to the student's education.
In very limited situations a student who cannot provide parental information and does not meet the criteria for a dependency override may receive Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan funds at dependent undergraduate levels. Talk to an aid counselor in the financial aid office to determine whether you are able to qualify for this exception.
Each college has its own policies and procedures for granting dependency overrides. At Buffalo State, students requesting a dependency override need to complete the Independence Appeal Form and supply all required documentation.
All decisions regarding such requests are at the discretion of the financial aid staff and cannot be appealed. Students who have received overrides at other schools will be required to provide documentation to Buffalo State as well. In some cases, students granted dependency overrides by other schools will have their requests denied at Buffalo State.
Students who are (1) unaccompanied and homeless or (2) self-supporting and at risk of being homeless may be deemed an independent student by the FAO through the Unaccompanied Homeless Verification process, if they have not otherwise been given this designation from a high school or shelter.
Students must complete and return the Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Verification Form along with supporting documentation to Buffalo State. Forms will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and all information will be kept confidential. The submission of the form does not guarantee the applicant will be deemed an independent student.
Upon receipt of the form, the FAO will review the student’s circumstance and supporting documentation. Students who meet the definition of unaccompanied homeless will be deemed an independent student for the aid year. The FAO will notify students via their Buffalo State email address and permanent address of record.
Definitions
Housing
In very limited situations, a student who cannot provide parental information and does not meet the criteria for a dependency override may receive Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan funds at dependent undergraduate levels. Speak to an aid advisor in the financial aid office to determine whether you are able to qualify for this exception. If so, a Parent Refusal Affidavit will be required.
