Which tax return year is required for 2025-2026 FAFSA application?

For the 2025-2026 FAFSA application (which you can file starting October 2024), you'll need to use the 2023 tax return information. This is due to what's called the 'prior-prior year' rule - meaning you use tax information from two years before the start of the academic year. Your mom is correct in this case!

ur advisor is wrong lol. always use tax info from 2 yrs before. so 2023 for 2025-26 fafsa. thats how I did mine

Your college advisor might have misspoken or you might have misunderstood. The 'prior-prior year' actually means you use the tax return from two years prior to the academic year you're applying for. For 2025-2026 FAFSA, that would be your 2023 tax information (not 2024). For divorced parents, you'll report information for the parent you lived with more during the past 12 months. If equal time with both, then it's the parent who provided more financial support. This parent's current spouse (if they remarried) also needs to provide information.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONFUSE YOU!!! I spent WEEKS trying to figure this out last year. First they told me 2022 taxes, then they wanted additional verification for 2021, and then some random form from 2023??? Complete nightmare. And don't even get me started on the verification process - they flagged my application THREE TIMES and I nearly lost my housing because my aid was delayed. I hate FAFSA with a burning passion.

Just to clarify a few things: 1. For 2025-2026 FAFSA: Use 2023 tax returns (your mom is correct) 2. For 2026-2027 FAFSA: You'll use 2024 tax returns 3. For 2027-2028 FAFSA: You'll use 2025 tax returns The pattern is always academic year minus 2 = tax year needed. This applies to both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile (which some private colleges require in addition to FAFSA). With divorced parents, only one parent's information goes on FAFSA (plus their spouse if remarried). However, be aware that if any of your schools require the CSS Profile, they might ask for both biological parents' information regardless of who you live with.

Not to throw another wrench in but has anyone noticed how impossible it is to actually get FAFSA on the phone when you have questions?? I needed to reach someone about my SAI calculation last month and spent literally 3 hours on hold before getting disconnected. Twice! I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they hold your place in line and call you when an agent is available. Saved me so much time! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ

i got confused abt this 2 lol. then i found out my parents filed an extension on their 2023 taxes n had to use 2022 forms instead. make sure ur parents actually filed!

I just wanted to add - if your parents haven't filed their 2023 taxes yet (for example, if they filed an extension), you can still complete the FAFSA. You'll need to select "Will file" and use estimated figures based on their W-2s, 1099s, or previous year's taxes. Just remember that you'll need to update your FAFSA with the correct information once they do file. Also, the new streamlined FAFSA has a direct IRS data transfer feature that makes pulling in tax info much easier - but that only works if the taxes have already been filed.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! So to confirm: 1. I need my parents' 2023 tax returns for my 2025-2026 FAFSA 2. Since my mom provides more financial support, I'll use her info (and unfortunately her husband's too) 3. I need to check if my private college choices require the CSS Profile 4. If my parents haven't filed their 2023 taxes yet, I can estimate but will need to update later This has been super helpful! I feel much more prepared now.

Just wanted to add something that might help with your divorced parents situation - make sure you understand the difference between who claims you as a dependent for tax purposes vs. which parent's info goes on FAFSA. These are two separate things! The parent who claims you on taxes doesn't necessarily have to be the same parent whose info you report on FAFSA. FAFSA goes by who you lived with more OR who provided more financial support (if 50/50 custody). I learned this the hard way when I assumed they had to match. Also, keep detailed records of any financial support each parent provides throughout the year - it might come in handy if you ever need to justify your choice to financial aid offices.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation and was also confused about the tax year requirements. One thing I'd add is that if you're planning to apply for state financial aid in addition to federal aid, make sure to check your state's deadlines too - some states have earlier deadlines than the federal FAFSA. Also, for anyone dealing with divorced parents, I found it really helpful to have a conversation with both parents early about who will be the "custodial parent" for FAFSA purposes, especially if custody is truly 50/50. It saved us a lot of stress later when we had to gather all the documents. Good luck with your applications!

Just wanted to jump in as someone who went through this exact situation last year! You're absolutely right - use 2023 tax returns for your 2025-2026 FAFSA. One thing that really helped me was creating a checklist of all the documents I needed from both parents before I even started the application. Since you mentioned your parents are divorced and coordinating is difficult, I'd suggest asking both parents to gather their documents now (2023 tax returns, W-2s, bank statements, etc.) even if you're only reporting one parent's info on FAFSA. Sometimes financial aid offices ask for additional documentation during verification, and having everything ready saved me weeks of back-and-forth. Also, if your mom's new husband is being difficult about sharing his financial info, remind him that it's legally required for FAFSA - there's no way around it if they want you to receive federal financial aid. The whole process is stressful enough without family drama! You've got this!