What is verification?

Each year students and their families apply for financial aid by submitting a Free Application for

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to help meet higher education expenses. Some applicants are

asked to provide supporting documents to verify the information on the FAFSA through a

process called verification. The supporting documentation is used by the financial aid office to

double check the FAFSA information and make corrections if needed.

Verification is an important process used to ensure that the right amount of financial aid is

provided to the right students at the right time. You and your family along with all tax payers

would want no less when it comes to taking care that your tax dollars are awarded accurately in

the financial aid process.

 

Why was I selected for verification?

There are various reasons why a FAFSA applicant may be selected for verification. Perhaps the

FAFSA included estimates of federal income tax information and the actual information now

needs to be confirmed. Or maybe the FAFSA was submitted with data that appears inconsistent

or unusual, or includes the type of information that is frequently misreported. Finally, you may

have been selected for verification through a random process used to get a sampling of how

accurately families fill out the FAFSA.  

 

What happens if I do not provide the verification information requested?

If you do not provide the verification documentation, you are not eligible for federal or state

financial aid. You also are ineligible for many forms of financial aid that your college may have

to offer. So, please submit the requested verification information promptly to avoid a delay in

your financial aid application processing!

 

What can I do to make sure the verification information I provide is accurate and complete?

-Carefully read the verification letter and verification worksheet. When completing the

worksheet respond to every question. Do not leave any lines blank. If the correct answer is

zero, write in a 0.

-Submit all documentation requested such as the Verification Worksheet and student and

parent W-2 forms. Submit your tax data by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool if you are

eligible or an IRS Tax Transcript if you are not eligible to use the IRS data retrieval tool. See

the information on the IRS Data Retrieval Tool below.

-Do not submit incomplete materials. Wait until you have all your verification materials

before submitting your verification packet.

 

Preferred Document Attachment Order:

1. Verification Worksheet

2. W2 forms

3. Student’s IRS Tax Return Transcript (if unable to use IRS data retrieval tool)

 

-Do not submit unrequested documents such as copies of tax returns, tax schedules, tax year

comparison reports, or state tax returns.

-Keep your originals – send us copies.

-Make sure the Verification Worksheet is signed by the student.

-Make sure that you provide all of the W-2 earnings statements you received from

employers. The total earnings shown in box 1 of the student W-2’s must match the Wages,

Salaries & Tips line of the IRS tax transcript.

·         If you are missing a W-2, contact your employer for a replacement copy.

·         Sometimes people receive earnings reportable on the tax return where a W-2 is not

required from an employer. In this circumstance, include a written description of the

amount and source of income and include any supporting document you may have

regarding this income.

 

Provide all Verification Information Promptly

Please provide your verification information as quickly as possible. Sometimes while reviewing the verification information we find inconsistent information orerrors that must be resolved which may create delays in processing. You can help avoid this delay by making sure that you provide accurate and complete verification information. In some circumstances we may need to request additional information from you.

 

What if I requested a filing extension for my tax return?

If you filed for an extension, let us know when you expect to file your tax return. Once you

complete your tax return you can then send us your IRS tax transcript.  Important Note: we must discontinue our work on your financial aid application until we receive all of your verification documentation.

 

Can I send copies of my tax returns?

NO. Federal verification regulations now require students submit a copy of the IRS tax return transcript.

 

If you file an amended return you will needed to provide an IRS Tax Account Transcript in

addition to the IRS Tax Return Transcript since these two documents together provide the

necessary information for verification purposes.

Online Request

Available on the IRS website at www.irs.gov

• In the Online Services section of the homepage click Order a Tax Return Transcript
• Click Order a Transcript
• Enter the tax filer’s social security number, date of birth, street address, and zip or postal code. Use the address currently on file with the IRS. Generally this will be the address that was listed on the latest tax return filed. However, if an address change has been completed through the U.S. Postal Service, the IRS may have the updated address on file.
• Click Continue
• In the Type of Transcript field, select Return Transcript and in the Tax Year field, select the year you are requesting.
• If successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper IRS Tax Return Transcript at the address included in their online request, within five to 10 days from the time the online request was successfully transmitted to the IRS.
• IRS Tax Return Transcripts requested online cannot be sent directly to a third party by the IRS.

Telephone Request

• Available from the IRS by calling 1-800-908-9946
• Tax filers must follow prompts to enter their social security number and the numbers in their street address. Generally this will be numbers of the street address that was listed on the latest tax return filed. However, if an address change has been completed through the U.S. Postal Service, the IRS may have the updated address on file.
• Select Option 2 to request an IRS Tax Return Transcript and then enter the year you are requesting.
• If successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper IRS Tax Return Transcript at the address that was used in their telephone request, within five to 10 days from the time the IRS receives the request.
• IRS Tax Return Transcripts requested by telephone cannot be sent directly to a third party by the IRS.

Paper Request Form – IRS Form 4506T-EZ

IRS Form 4506T-EZ should be used instead of IRS Form 4506-T because it is sufficient to request an IRS Tax Return Transcript.

• Download at irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506tez.pdf
• Complete lines 1 – 4, following the instructions on Page 2 of the form. Note that Line 3 should be the most current address as filed with the IRS. It is the address where the IRS Tax Return Transcript will be sent. If the address has recently changed, include the address listed on the latest tax return filed on Line 4. However, if an address change has been completed through the U.S. Postal Service, the IRS may have the updated address on file.
• Line 5 provides tax filers with the option to have their IRS Tax Return Transcript mailed directly to a third party by the IRS.
• On Line 6, enter the year you are requesting to receive IRS tax information.
• The tax filers (or spouse if requesting information from a joint tax return) must sign and date the form and enter their telephone number. Only one signature is required to request a transcript for a joint return.
• Mail or fax the completed IRS Form 4506T-EZ to the appropriate address (or FAX number) provided on Page 2 of Form 4506T-EZ.
• Tax filers can expect to receive their transcript within five to 10 days from the time the IRS receives and processes their signed request. NOTE: Processing form 4506T-EZ means verifying/validating the information provided on the form. If any information does not match the IRS records, the IRS will notify the tax filer that it was not able to provide the transcript. [top] 

     

 

Do you have additional questions?

Contact the HTS Financial Aid Office at 704.636.6455 or financialaid@hoodseminary.edu