FAFSA can't manually enter tax info after social security verification - is it auto-linked now?

same thing with my sons app last month. the system is glitchy AF this year. waited like 4 days then suddenly it was linked without me doing anything. check again tomorrow, bet its fixed

This is actually normal behavior with the new FAFSA system. What's happening is a two-step verification process. First, the system verifies identity with Social Security Administration, and after that completes (can take 1-3 days), it attempts to link with IRS automatically in the background. The manual entry option disappears during this verification period. If the automatic linking is successful, you'll see the tax information populated when you log back in later. If it fails after 3-5 days, the manual entry option should reappear. Don't worry about missing deadlines - the system timestamps when you started the application, not when you complete it.

THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME LAST WEEK! This new FAFSA system is absolute garbage. I spent 6 hours trying to finish my daughter's application and kept getting stuck at the same point. The entire system is broken and nobody at FSA seems to care. I finally got through to someone after calling for THREE DAYS straight and they said "it's a known issue" but couldn't tell me when it would be fixed. So basically we're all just supposed to wait while our kids' financial futures hang in the balance? RIDICULOUS.

I'm a financial aid counselor and we're seeing this issue with about 25% of our students' parent contributors. Here's what's happening: 1. The system first verifies identity with SSA 2. Then it attempts to link with IRS Data Retrieval Tool 3. If the linkage is stuck in processing, the manual entry option disappears temporarily In most cases, one of two things happens: - After 2-4 days, the tax data successfully links and populates automatically - After 5-7 days, the system times out and the manual entry option reappears My advice: Wait 3 more days, then check again. If you still don't see either tax data or the manual entry option, you may need to contact FSA directly to have them clear the verification flag on your account.

Try using a different browser first - we've seen Chrome work better than Safari for some reason. Clearing cache might help too. But honestly, this is usually a server-side issue that you'll need to wait out.

I had to deal with this exact issue last month and wasted days trying to get through to FSA. After getting disconnected multiple times and waiting for hours, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual person at FSA in about 15 minutes. They basically wait on hold for you and call you when an agent picks up. Saved me so much frustration! Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The FSA agent was able to clear whatever flag was stuck on my husband's contributor section and we could finish our daughter's application that same day.

I'm dealing with a similar issue, but I'm confused about something else related to the contributor section. My parents are divorced, and my mom's new husband isn't financially supporting me, but the FAFSA is requiring his information anyway. I thought step-parents only had to contribute information if they're actually supporting you? Anyone know if that's changed with the new formula?

Just wanted to update everyone! My ex checked this morning and the tax information magically appeared! It looks like it did eventually link automatically through the IRS DRT tool, even though it initially said it couldn't. We're so relieved - the SAI calculation is now complete and everything looks correct. Thanks for all the advice!

man i wish id seen this thread last week!! spent like 3 hours trying to figure out why my wifes tax info disappeared from our daughters fafsa. ended up starting over completely and lost all our previous info. the whole system is trash tbh