Can I use delayed tax return for FAFSA when IRS has been holding it since February?

Yes, you can definitely use your filed tax information for the FAFSA even if the IRS hasn't fully processed your return or issued your refund. What matters is that you've FILED your taxes - not whether the IRS has finished processing them or sent your refund. The FAFSA asks for filed tax information, which you have already completed. When you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool in the FAFSA, it should still pull your tax information even if your refund is delayed. If for some reason the Data Retrieval Tool doesn't work, you can manually enter the information from your tax return copy.

my brother had this exact problem last yr. dont worry about it. the fafsa only cares that u filed ur taxes not if the irs gave u money back yet

I'm in almost the exact same situation! Filed in January, still "processing" in May with no explanation. I called the IRS about 20 times (literally) and never got through to a human. Finally used the Data Retrieval Tool anyway for my son's FAFSA and it worked perfectly - pulled all our tax info even though our return was still in limbo. The financial aid office told me this happens ALL THE TIME now with IRS delays and it's totally fine.

You're absolutely fine to use your completed tax return information for the FAFSA. The FAFSA specifically needs the information you reported on your tax forms, not the IRS's final processing status. You've fulfilled your obligation by filing the return. One technical detail: If you try to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool and it doesn't work because of the processing delay, you can manually enter your tax information. Just be prepared - there's slightly higher chance of being selected for verification if you manually enter the data rather than using the IRS DRT. Not guaranteed, but worth being aware of.

To add to what others said - I went through verification last year because my return was delayed and I manually entered my information (IRS DRT wasn't working for me). The financial aid office just needed me to submit a signed copy of the tax return I filed. It was annoying but not the end of the world. Also, have you tried calling the IRS about your delayed return? Good luck with that - I spent HOURS trying to get through last year and kept getting disconnected.

I had a similar issue two years ago when the IRS flagged my return for "review" which took MONTHS. I eventually discovered that using Claimyr (claimyr.com) got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes instead of calling endlessly myself. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ Once I finally talked to someone, they explained exactly why my return was delayed (missing form) and I was able to fix it. Might be worth trying so you at least know why your return is stuck. For the FAFSA though, everyone else is right - you can and should use your filed tax info regardless of processing status.

One more thing - make sure to save a copy of your filed tax return just in case you do get selected for verification. The financial aid office might ask for it, and having it ready will save you time.

yall stressing too much lol. the fafsa ppl and the irs barely talk to each other anyway. my cousin works in a financial aid office and says returns on hold happen ALL THE TIME and its never an issue

I went through this exact situation last year and can confirm what others are saying - you absolutely can and should proceed with your FAFSA using your filed tax information. The key word here is "filed" - the IRS processing delays don't affect your ability to complete the FAFSA. A few practical tips from my experience: 1. Try the IRS Data Retrieval Tool first - it often works even when returns are still processing 2. If the DRT fails, manually enter your information from your tax return copy 3. Keep detailed records of what you entered in case of verification 4. Don't wait for the IRS to finish processing - financial aid deadlines are more important than IRS processing timelines The good news is that these IRS delays have become so common that financial aid offices are very familiar with this situation. They won't penalize you for something completely outside your control. Focus on meeting your daughter's financial aid deadlines rather than waiting for the IRS to catch up!