FAFSA rejected because minor son didn't file 2022 taxes - how to prove non-filing?

This is a common issue with the new FAFSA system! For minors who didn't file, you need to submit a 'Verification of Non-filing Letter' from the IRS. You can request this online through the IRS website using Form 4506-T. When you get it, upload it to your son's studentaid.gov account under 'Document Upload' and label it 'Proof of Non-filing.' After that, you'll need to call FSA to let them know you've submitted the documentation.

my daughter had same issue last yr. its stupid that they make kids prove they DIDNT file. took us 2 months to fix bc the irs website kept crashing when we tried to get the letter

Had this happen with my niece. The system is ridiculous - they want proof of something NOT happening. We couldn't get through on the phone either, so I finally drove to a local IRS office with her and got the letter in person. Then we had to scan and upload it. Even after that, it took 3 weeks for them to process it and update her FAFSA. The whole system is a disaster this year.

Try using Claimyr.com to get through to a FAFSA agent - that's how I finally resolved this exact issue. They connect you to FSA without the wait. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of frustration after trying to get through for days. The agent helped me override the system since my daughter also didn't file taxes as a minor.

Financial aid counselor here - this is unfortunately a common issue with the new FAFSA system. A few important points: 1. For 2022 non-filers who were minors, there's actually a special process. You can submit a signed statement (from the parent) confirming the student had no filing requirement. 2. This statement should include: student's name, that they did not file 2022 taxes, and confirmation their income was below filing threshold ($12,950 for 2022). 3. Upload this statement to the FAFSA portal under document uploads. 4. Then you MUST call FSA to have them manually update the application status. The system has a technical issue with properly processing non-filing status for dependents, which is why many applications get stuck in this loop.

This literally JUST happened to my daughter!! The whole FAFSA system is broken. She did work a summer job in 2022 but made less than $3,000 so wasn't required to file. We've been stuck in this same loop for 3 weeks and her college is threatening to cancel her financial aid package!!!! I'm so frustrated I could SCREAM. The government expects 17-year-olds to have tax documents from when they were 15???? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE.

Update: I took everyone's advice and did two things: 1) I wrote and uploaded the signed statement confirming my son didn't need to file taxes in 2022, and 2) I used Claimyr to actually reach a human being at FSA. The agent was incredibly helpful once I got through. She confirmed that for dependent students who were minors and didn't meet filing requirements, they can override the system flag. It took about 20 minutes on the phone, but she processed the override while I was on the call. Just checked this morning and my son's FAFSA status now shows 'Processing' instead of 'Action Required.' THANK YOU all for your help!

This is such a relief to read! I'm a high school senior going through FAFSA applications right now and this thread is giving me major anxiety about what might happen next year. The fact that the system assumes ALL students filed taxes regardless of age or income is absolutely bonkers. Thank you Ana for sharing your solution step-by-step - I'm bookmarking this thread in case I run into the same nightmare. It's crazy that parents have to become experts in tax law and government bureaucracy just to help their kids apply for college aid. The whole system needs a complete overhaul!

I'm a newcomer here but dealing with the exact same issue! My daughter is 17 and didn't file taxes in 2022 (she was 15 and only earned about $800 babysitting). Her FAFSA got rejected for the same reason yesterday. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the signed statement option or services like Claimyr to get through to FSA. Ana, thank you so much for posting your successful resolution steps! I'm going to try your approach with uploading the parent statement first, then using Claimyr to reach an agent. It's absolutely ridiculous that this is even an issue - the system should recognize that minors with minimal income don't file taxes. Fingers crossed I can get this sorted out as quickly as you did. This community has been a lifesaver!