Obtaining Tax Information for Verification (Filers & Non-Filers)

Signed copies of tax returns may be submitted in lieu of tax return transcripts for the verification process.

• Only the first page (1040EZ) or the first two pages (1040/1040A) and any Schedule C/C-EZs (business income), as applicable, are necessary for this process. Please do not send the entire return!
• Make sure the tax return is signed by the tax payer. Students must sign their own tax return. Spouses must sign their own tax return. In the case of a joint tax return, at least one of the taxpayers on the tax return must sign it. 

How the DDX works:

If you and your parents have filed federal tax returns before starting the FAFSA, you will be able to obtain your income information while completing the FAFSA. If you have not filed federal tax returns before starting the FAFSA, you may input the IRS Data Retrieval information after filing federal tax returns by using the FAFSA corrections process.

Electronically filed tax return information will be available online from the IRS site 1-2 weeks after the return has been filed; data from paper tax returns will be available in 6-8 weeks.

Families must actively choose to utilize the direct data exchange tool. When you choose to do so, you will have to provide consent to have your data transferred. You will need to authenticate your identity before any personal information is displayed. When entering your address, it is essential that you input your address exactly as it appeared on your tax return.

Some families will not be able to use the DDX:

• If the parents of a dependent student file separate tax returns;
• If an applicant’s parent has a change in marital status after the end of the tax year on December 31;
• If anyone has filed an amended tax return;
• If the applicant or applicant’s parents have filed a foreign tax return.

If you are unable to use the DDX Tool you must request an IRS Tax Return Transcript to verify your income for verification purposes instead.

1. Start at www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript (Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome browsers work best)
2. Choose “Get Transcript Online” to download a PDF that you can save to your computer or print immediately.
3. New users will need to register. Registration takes 10-15 minutes. Each tax payer (student/spouse/parent) will need to register on their own.
4. Once you are registered, select “Higher Education/Student Aid” as the reason you need a transcript.
5. In the box that says “Return Transcript” choose the appropriate tax year. (The return transcript is the only one acceptable for financial aid.)*This is where you would choose Wage & Income Transcript if you need W2s.
6. Allow the website to process your request. A pop-up window of your tax return transcript will appear in a separate browser window. You have to turn off any pop-up blockers or add www.irs.gov to your safe list.
7. You can save the transcript to your computer (not recommended if you are using a public machine unless you have a flash drive) or print a copy.
8. Sign out when you are finished. Be sure to keep your username and password in a secure spot.

How to fix address matching problems when ordering online:

When entering the information into the IRS address matching system note the following:

• The address entered must match the address already on file with the IRS exactly.
• The address on file is typically the address on your most recent tax return.
• Spelling out the word “street” rather than using the abbreviation “st.” can be enough to cause an error.
• Addresses on the IRS system are auto-corrected through a post office program and may not match what you put on your tax return.

We suggest the following if you run into problems:

• Have your taxes in front of you and enter the address carefully as it is on your return.
• If you entered your address as it appears on your return and it doesn’t work, try using the standardized version of your address.
  • To get a standardized version of your address: 1) go to www.usps.com 2) Click Look Up a Zip Code 3) Enter Street Address, City, State 4) Click Find

To obtain an IRS tax return transcript for you and/or your parent or spouse, start at the IRS website and follow the directions below. The IRS will mail you a copy of the transcript within 5-10 business days.

1. Enter your Social Security Number and date of birth.
2. Enter your street address (NOTE: if you do not enter your address in the exact same way it was entered on your tax return, the IRS will not be able to process your request) and your zip code.
3. Click “Continue”
4. Select “Return Transcript” for the type of transcript and select the tax year. Do not order an account transcript. We cannot accept account transcripts.
5. Select “Continue.” You will see a confirmation page if your request was successfully processed.

You may also order a tax return transcript from the IRS by phone at 1-800-908-9946.

When you receive the tax return transcript in the mail 5-10 days after ordering, make a copy of both sides for your records and submit one copy to the Office of Student Financial Aid. You may drop it off at our office (202 Simmons Hall), upload it in the Student Center of MyAkron, or fax it to 330-972-7139. If you upload or fax, make sure to get both sides of the return transcript, as it is double-sided.

*Note: if you have trouble with this option, try Option #5 or one of the Alternative Options below.

1. Start at www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript (Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome browsers work best)
2. Choose “Get Transcript Online” to download a PDF that you can save to your computer or print immediately.
3. New users will need to register. Registration takes 10-15 minutes. Each person (student/spouse/parent) will need to register on their own. Enter the non-filer's Social Security Number, email address, filing status, account numbers for loan or credit card associated with your name, and mobile phone associated with your name. [If at any point you cannot validate your identity because you are unable to provide financial verification information or you lack access to a mobile phone - you will need to use "Get Transcript by Mail" - instructions in Option #5 (non-filers).]
4. Click "Continue."
5. Select "Verification of Non-filing Letter" and in the Tax Year field, select the appropriate tax year.
6. Allow the website to process your request. If successfully validated, you will be able to view your IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter. A pop-up window of the letter will appear in a separate browser window. You have to turn off any pop-up blockers or add www.irs.gov to your safe list.
7. You can save the letter to your computer (not recommended if you are using a public machine unless you have a flash drive) or print a copy.
8. Sign out when you are finished. Be sure to keep your username and password in a secure spot.
9. Submit a copy of the letter to the Office of Student Financial Aid, along with any other documents that have been requested. Make sure the student's UA Student ID # and name are printed at the top of every page submitted. Documents can be faxed to 330-972-7139, uploaded in the Student Center of MyAkron, mailed to The University of Akron, Office of Student Financial Aid, Akron, OH 44325-6211, or dropped off on the 2nd floor of Simmons Hall on the main campus of The University of Akron.

How to fix address matching problems when ordering online:

When entering the information into the IRS address matching system note the following:

• The address entered must match the address already on file with the IRS exactly.
• The address on file is typically the address on your most recent tax return.
• Spelling out the word “street” rather than using the abbreviation “st.” can be enough to cause an error.
• Addresses on the IRS system are auto-corrected through a post office program and may not match what you put on your tax return.

We suggest the following if you run into problems:

• Have your taxes in front of you and enter the address carefully as it is on your return.
• If you entered your address as it appears on your return and it doesn’t work, try using the standardized version of your address.
  • To get a standardized version of your address: 1) go to www.usps.com 2) Click Look Up a Zip Code 3) Enter Street Address, City, State 4) Click Find

*Note: if you have trouble with this option, try Option 4 or one of the Alternative Options below.

1. Start at www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript (Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome browsers work best)
2. Choose “Get Transcript by MAIL.”
3. Click "Continue."
4. Select "Verification of Non-filing Letter" and in the Tax Year field, select the appropriate tax year.
5. If successfully validated, non-filers can expect to receive a paper IRS "Verification of Non-filing Letter" at the address included in their online request within 5-10 business days.
6. When the letter is received, submit a copy of the letter to the Office of Student Financial Aid, along with any other documents that have been requested. Make sure the student's UA Student ID # and name are printed at the top of every page submitted. Documents can be faxed to 330-972-7139, uploaded in the Student Center of MyAkron, mailed to The University of Akron, Office of Student Financial Aid, Akron, OH 44325-6211, or dropped off on the 2nd floor of Simmons Hall on the main campus of The University of Akron.

Telephone Request - available from the IRS by calling 1-800-908-9946

• Tax filers must follow the prompts to enter their Social Security Number and the numbers in their street address. Generally this will be the numbers of the street address that was listed on the latest tax return filed.
  • Tax filers must request the "Tax Return Transcript," not "Tax Account Transcript" for verification purposes.
  • If successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper copy of the tax return transcript at the address provided in their telephone request within 5-10 business days from the time of the request.
  • When the letter is received, submit a copy of the transcript to the Office of Student Financial Aid, along with any other documents that have been requested. Make sure the student's UA Student ID # and name are printed at the top of every page submitted. Documents can be faxed to 330-972-7139, uploaded in the Student Center of MyAkron, mailed to The University of Akron, Office of Student Financial Aid, Akron, OH 44325-6211, or dropped off on the 2nd floor of Simmons Hall on the main campus of The University of Akron.
• Non-filers will select "Option 2" to request an IRS "Verification of Non-filing Letter" and then enter the appropriate tax year.
  
  • If successfully validated, non-filers can expect to receive a paper copy of the non-filing letter at the address provided in their telephone request within 5-10 business days from the time of the request.
  • When the letter is received, submit a copy of the letter to the Office of Student Financial Aid, along with any other documents that have been requested. Make sure the student's UA Student ID # and name are printed at the top of every page submitted. Documents can be faxed to 330-972-7139, uploaded in the Student Center of MyAkron, mailed to The University of Akron, Office of Student Financial Aid, Akron, OH 44325-6211, or dropped off on the 2nd floor of Simmons Hall on the main campus of The University of Akron.

Paper Request - IRS Form 4506-T

• Complete lines 1-4, following the instructions on page 2 of the form.
• On Line 3, enter the tax filer's (or non-filer's) street address and zip or postal code. Use the address currently on file with the IRS.
• Line 5 provides non-filers with the option to have their IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter mailed directly to a third party (ie. The University of Akron) by the IRS. When given the option to add a Customer File Number, please use the student's UA Student ID #. 
  • Students: feel free to choose this option. Use this address: The University of Akron, Office of Student Financial Aid, Akron, OH 44325-6211.
  • Parents/Spouses: Please do not choose to have the IRS send UA the transcript/letter directly unless you add the student's UA Student ID # as the Customer File Number. If you do not include the ID #, the transcript we receive will not have your student's name or UA ID # on it, so we will have extreme difficulty knowing the document belongs to your student. If you do not use the Customer File Number, please have the transcript/letter mailed to your home, where you can print the student's name and UA Student ID # at the top.
• Next:
  • Tax-filers should enter the tax form used in the appropriate tax year on Line 6, then check the box for 6a - Tax Return Transcript.
  • Non-filers should check the box for Line 7 - Verification of Nonfiling.
• Enter "2017" on Line 9 (for the 2019-20 academic year).
• The tax-filer/non-filer must sign and date the form, and enter their telephone number.
• Mail or fax the completed IRS Form 4506-T to the office designated on page 2 of the form for your state. Ohio residents, fax to 855-821-0094 or mail to: Internal Revenue Service, RAIVS Team, PO Box 145500, Stop 2800 F, Cincinnati, OH 45250.
• When the letter is received, submit a copy of the transcript/letter to the Office of Student Financial Aid, along with any other documents that have been requested. Make sure the student's UA Student ID # and name are printed at the top of every page submitted. Documents can be faxed to 330-972-7139, uploaded in the Student Center of MyAkron, mailed to The University of Akron, Office of Student Financial Aid, Akron, OH 44325-6211, or dropped off on the 2nd floor of Simmons Hall on the main campus of The University of Akron.

In-Person Request

• Use the "Taxpayer Assistance Center Office Locator" on the IRS website to find the location closest to you.
• Follow the contact instructions. In Ohio, an appointment is necessary. Call 1-844-545-5640 to make an appointment.
  • Note: the closest office to the University of Akron is at 2 Main Street, Akron, OH 44325.