Do I need to wait for tax data retrieval to complete before signing the 2025-2026 FAFSA?
I'm filling out the 2025-2026 FAFSA and just gave permission to transfer my tax info from the IRS using the data retrieval tool. The system asked if I wanted to give permission, I clicked yes, but then it just continued to the next section without showing me what data was pulled. Now I'm at the signature page and getting cold feet about submitting. Do I need to wait for some kind of confirmation that my tax info was actually retrieved before I sign and submit? Or does the permission alone mean everything's good to go? I don't want to submit and then find out later that my tax info never got attached to my application. This is my first time using the tax data retrieval feature and I'm super confused about the process.
16 comments
Join the conversation
Adrian Connor
You can go ahead and sign - the data retrieval happens in the background. As long as you authorized it, you're good to submit. I remember panicking about the same thing last year, but it all worked fine!
0 coins
Mikayla Davison
•Are you sure? I don't see any of my tax information displayed anywhere in the application. Usually when you input information it shows up somewhere for review, right?
0 coins
Aisha Jackson
The Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) works differently than manually entering information. When you authorize the IRS data transfer, the system flags your FAFSA for automatic population with your tax data AFTER submission. The data isn't immediately visible because it's a secure transfer process that happens on the backend. You should complete and sign your FAFSA now. After processing (usually 3-5 days), you can log back in and verify the data transferred correctly. If there are any issues, you can submit a correction at that time. This process helps prevent manual entry errors and reduces your chances of being selected for verification.
0 coins
Mikayla Davison
•Thank you for explaining! That makes sense why I couldn't see the data. I was worried I'd done something wrong. I'll go ahead and submit then check back in a few days.
0 coins
Ryder Everingham
Dont wait just submit it!!!! I waited las year thinking the same thing and then missed my schools priority deadline becuz I thought I needed to see the tax stuff appear first... BIG MISTAKE!!! The financial aid office told me the data comes AFTER u submit not before
0 coins
Mikayla Davison
•Oh no, that sounds stressful! Thanks for the warning. I definitely don't want to miss any deadlines, so I'll submit today.
0 coins
Lilly Curtis
Wait I'm confused...I thought when you use the data retrieval tool you're supposed to see the IRS data before submitting? When I did mine it showed me all the numbers from my tax return right in the FAFSA fields. But that was for 2024-2025 application.
0 coins
Aisha Jackson
•The interface changed for the 2025-2026 FAFSA. With the new streamlined application, the DRT process is more automated and happens in the background. The tax data transfer is now initiated during the application but finalized after submission - it's a security enhancement to protect sensitive financial information. The OP's experience is normal with the current system.
0 coins
Leo Simmons
A couple important technical points about the Data Retrieval Tool process: 1) The 2025-2026 FAFSA uses a different workflow than previous years. You're experiencing the correct process. 2) When you authorized the transfer, the system created an electronic handshake with the IRS, but the actual data transfer happens securely in the background. 3) After submission, your FAFSA will show a "Processing" status while the tax data is being integrated. 4) You'll receive an email confirmation once processing is complete (typically 3-7 business days). 5) At that point, you can review your Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation and verify all information is correct. Go ahead and complete/sign your application now. The authorization is what matters, not seeing the data beforehand.
0 coins
Mikayla Davison
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I was worried I had somehow messed up the process. I'll finish the application today and keep an eye out for that email confirmation.
0 coins
Lindsey Fry
I started having the exact same worry last month!!! The new system is so confusing with the tax data transfer. I ended up calling Federal Student Aid to check if I should wait or submit, and they confirmed you should go ahead and submit after giving permission. But honestly it took me forever to get through to someone who could actually answer my question.
0 coins
Saleem Vaziri
•If anyone else is struggling to reach someone at Federal Student Aid about DRT issues or any FAFSA questions, I used a service called Claimyr last week that got me through in about 15 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They basically hold your place in line and call you when an agent is available. Made the whole process way less frustrating. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ
0 coins
Mikayla Davison
UPDATE: I went ahead and submitted my FAFSA after reading everyone's advice. Just got the confirmation email that it was received! I'll check back in a few days to make sure the tax data transferred correctly. Thanks everyone for your help!
0 coins
Adrian Connor
•Awesome! Glad you got it submitted. The new system is definitely confusing at first but works well once you understand how it's supposed to flow.
0 coins
Ryder Everingham
smart move!!! now you can relax a bit. just remember to actually check back in to make sure everything processed right. my roomate didn't and ended up with a verification flag that delayed her aid package
0 coins
Mikayla Davison
•Good point! I've set a reminder to check back next week. Would hate to have my aid delayed because I forgot to verify everything went through correctly.
0 coins