FAFSA not pulling IRS data - does using different parent name for joint filers matter?
So frustrated! I just spent 2 hours trying to complete our 2025-2026 FAFSA and had to manually enter all our tax information even though we're supposed to be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. We file jointly, and I was the one who initiated the FAFSA (I'm listed as Parent 1). Has anyone else had this problem? If my husband had started the application instead of me, would the system have pulled our tax data automatically? Also, our daughter is a sophomore now, but my husband might handle next year's FAFSA - will that cause problems if I'm the one who submitted it this year?
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Leo Simmons
happened to me too!! system is broken like always 🙄
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Lilly Curtis
•Did you end up just entering everything manually too? I'm worried I might have made errors.
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Lindsey Fry
I had the same issue with the 2024-2025 application. The IRS DRT worked for me when I tried again a week later. Sometimes their systems don't sync properly. Your best bet is to: 1. Save your application (don't submit yet) 2. Wait 24-48 hours 3. Try again with the IRS DRT As for your question about switching parents - it shouldn't matter which parent fills it out as long as you're using the same FSA ID each year. The system looks at household income either way since you file jointly. If your husband handles it next year, he should create his own FSA ID, but reference the same tax information.
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Lilly Curtis
•Thank you! I've already submitted since I was worried about missing the priority deadline, but good to know for next year. So it sounds like my husband will need his own FSA ID when he does it?
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Saleem Vaziri
The exact same thing happened to me!! I tried 4 different times to use the IRS tool and it kept saying "unable to retrieve data" but no explanation why. The FAFSA website is so buggy this year with all their changes. Does anyone know if there are specific criteria that prevent the tax retrieval from working? Like does it matter which spouse's name is first on the tax return?
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Kayla Morgan
•There are a few things that can prevent the IRS DRT from working properly: - If you filed an amended tax return (Form 1040X) - If your tax return was filed less than 3 weeks ago electronically (or 11 weeks if filed by paper) - If you filed with a status other than "single" or "married filing jointly" - If you filed jointly but entered your SSN/name in a different order than on your tax return That last one might be your issue. The parent who is listed as Primary Taxpayer on your 1040 should be the one who attempts to use the DRT. It's a common technical issue that the FSA hasn't fully resolved.
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James Maki
I've been trying to reach the Federal Student Aid helpline for days about this exact problem! Always "high call volume" and disconnects. So frustrating! I heard that if you entered even a slightly different address format than what's on your tax return, it can cause the data retrieval to fail. Like if you put "Street" vs "St" or used abbreviations differently.
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Jasmine Hancock
•you can try using Claimyr to get thru to a FAFSA agent without waiting forever. was able to get someone in like 10 minutes after trying for days on my own. they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ and their website is claimyr.com - totally saved me when I had issues with my SAI calculation being wrong
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Cole Roush
THIS IS WHY I HATE FAFSA!!! Every year there's some new glitch or problem!! Last year it was the website crashing, this year it's the IRS tool not working. And they expect us to get everything right or else our kids don't get aid?!? The system is DESIGNED to make us fail. 😡
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Saleem Vaziri
•I feel this so much. I was worried I'd mess something up by entering manually and then get flagged for verification. That happened to my friend and it delayed her daughter's aid package by months.
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Kayla Morgan
To answer your specific questions: 1. Yes, the primary taxpayer listed on your 1040 should be the one who attempts the IRS DRT. If your husband is listed first on your tax return but you initiated the FAFSA, that could explain the issue. 2. For parents who file jointly, either parent can complete the FAFSA in subsequent years, but there are a few best practices: - The same parent should ideally complete the FAFSA each year for consistency - If you switch, make sure the new parent creates their own FSA ID - Ensure your demographic information matches exactly what's on file with the IRS - Be aware that both parents' information is considered regardless of who completes it For your current application, don't worry too much about manual entry as long as you were careful. The Department of Education has processes to verify information if needed.
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Lilly Curtis
•Thank you so much for the detailed explanation! My husband is actually listed as the primary taxpayer on our return, so that explains it. I'll have him handle it next year with his own FSA ID. One last question - will this cause any issues with my daughter's aid if the system sees a different parent submitted the forms?
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Kayla Morgan
No, having a different parent submit the FAFSA next year won't affect your daughter's aid eligibility. Since you file jointly, the same household income is considered regardless of which parent completes the form. The only potential issue would be if you entered significantly different demographic information that might trigger a verification check. Also, just FYI - if your husband does next year's FAFSA, make sure he: 1. Creates his own FSA ID (don't share FSA IDs) 2. Indicates he's the same Parent 2 that was listed on this year's form 3. Enters demographic info exactly as it appears on tax documents This should prevent any processing delays next year.
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Lilly Curtis
•That makes perfect sense, thank you! I'll make sure to have him listed as Parent 1 next time since he's the primary on our taxes. Hopefully the system will work better next year too.
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Leo Simmons
my cousins financial aid got messed up cuz his parents switched who filled out the form each year and they kept getting verification requests...just fyi
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Lindsey Fry
•That's likely because they may have entered inconsistent information between years. When different parents complete the FAFSA, they need to be careful to use exactly the same demographic information, household size, etc. The system flags inconsistencies, not necessarily just the fact that a different parent completed it.
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