2025-2026 FAFSA not asking for AGI - Will IRS auto-retrieve our tax info?

Oh thank goodness! I was so worried something was wrong. Do you know how long it typically takes for them to retrieve the tax info? And will I be able to see what they pulled from the IRS somewhere on my application?

wait so do we still need to do the IRS DRT thing or is that gone too??? i remember having to click through to the IRS site last year but didnt see that option this time

I had similar concerns but called FSA to verify. The representative confirmed they are pulling the correct 2023 tax information for the 2025-2026 FAFSA. You just need to make sure you've given consent for the data transfer during the application. If you're worried, you can request a Student Aid Report (SAR) after submission which shows a summary of your application, including financial information used to calculate your SAI.

Thank you for this suggestion! I might try this if I don't get confirmation soon that our information transferred correctly. Did the FSA agent tell you how long the tax retrieval process typically takes?

The agent said the initial retrieval happens within 3-5 days after submission, but it can take up to 2 weeks for everything to fully process in their system. You should get your SAI calculation after that, assuming there are no issues that trigger verification.

Great question! If you filed an amended return (Form 1040-X), the system should pull your most recent amended data, but there can sometimes be delays. If your amended return was processed after you submitted your FAFSA, you might need to contact your school's financial aid office to provide the updated information. They can make professional judgment adjustments if needed.

The new FAFSA still requires some information to be entered manually, especially if you have income that isn't reported on your tax return. W-2 information is generally captured in your tax return, but there are specific scenarios where you might need to report additional income. For example, if you have untaxed income or foreign income that wasn't reported to the IRS, you would need to enter that manually. But for most people with standard W-2 employment, the automatic retrieval should capture everything.

Thanks for coming back to update us! This is great confirmation that the system is working as intended. Did your SAR show a detailed breakdown of the financial information they pulled, or just the final SAI number?

This is so helpful to hear! I'm still waiting for my SAR but this gives me confidence that everything will work out. Did you notice any differences in your aid eligibility compared to previous years with the new SAI calculation versus the old EFC system?

Great question! From what I've learned, there are a few situations where the automatic retrieval might have hiccups. If your parents are divorced, each parent who needs to complete the FAFSA will need to give separate consent for their own tax data retrieval. Complex tax situations like having foreign income, filing separate returns when married, or having significant business income might require additional manual entry or verification. Also, if there's a mismatch between the SSN on your FAFSA and your tax return, that could cause issues. The system is pretty robust though - if there are problems with the automatic retrieval, you'll usually get notified and given the option to enter information manually or through verification with your school's financial aid office.