Can I complete my FAFSA for school if I haven't filed my state taxes yet?

I'm trying to get my 2025-2026 FAFSA submitted, but I'm still dealing with my 2023 taxes that I haven't filed yet. I've been using FreeTaxUSA for my federal return because it's free for back taxes, which is great. I just found out I owe about $4 in state taxes, but they want to charge me $25 to file the state return through their site. I'm definitely going to file the state taxes, but I'd rather find a cheaper option since I'm on a really tight budget right now with tuition costs already killing me. I'm wondering if I can just submit my federal return today, then figure out the state taxes later (maybe mail them in or find another free option), and still get my FAFSA processed without any issues? Do I need both federal AND state taxes completed for the FAFSA to be processed properly, or can I move forward with just the federal return done?

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18 comments

Oliver Schulz

•8M

The good news is that the FAFSA primarily relies on your federal tax information, not your state tax information! The FAFSA uses data from your federal tax return through the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, so once you've filed your federal taxes, you should be able to complete your FAFSA without having your state taxes done. Just make sure your federal return is processed by the IRS before trying to use the Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA website. This typically takes about 2-3 weeks for electronic filing. If you're pushing against FAFSA deadlines, remember that priority deadlines for many schools are often in early March, but the federal deadline extends much later. As for your state tax situation, you might want to check if your state offers free filing options directly through their tax department website. Many states have free options that aren't advertised by the tax prep companies.

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Oliver Schulz

•8M

After you electronically file your federal return, it typically takes about 2-3 weeks before your tax information appears in the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. If you mail your return, it could take 6-8 weeks or even longer. There's no downside to filing your state taxes after submitting your FAFSA. The FAFSA doesn't use state tax information, so the timing of your state filing won't affect your federal aid eligibility. Just make sure you do eventually file your state taxes to stay compliant with your state tax obligations.

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Natasha Orlova

•8M

I was in a similar situation last year and discovered taxr.ai after struggling with the same FAFSA/tax filing problem. Since FAFSA only needs federal tax data, I used https://taxr.ai to help me determine exactly what I needed to file for my financial aid application to go through without issues. The tool analyzed my tax situation and confirmed I could proceed with just my federal return filed for FAFSA purposes. Their AI system was able to parse through the FAFSA requirements and my specific tax situation to give me personalized guidance. It saved me a ton of stress because I was also trying to avoid unnecessary fees for state filing when I was only missing one form.

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Natasha Orlova

•8M

Yes, taxr.ai does help with FAFSA-related tax questions. It has specific guidance about which tax documents are needed for financial aid applications. The system analyzes the relevant IRS guidelines and FAFSA requirements to give you accurate information about your specific situation, even with multiple years of unfiled taxes. The AI is actually trained on FAFSA regulations and IRS guidelines, so it references the official requirements rather than relying on secondhand information. It helped me navigate the discrepancies between what my school told me and what the actual FAFSA form required. It can pull information directly from the Department of Education's guidelines to give you the most accurate answer.

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Emma Wilson

•8M

I was super skeptical about taxr.ai when I first saw it mentioned here, but I decided to try it since I was completely stuck with my FAFSA and tax situation. I had 2023 taxes not filed yet and my school was hassling me about completing my FAFSA asap. The tool actually confirmed exactly what I needed - just my federal return was sufficient for FAFSA processing. It even helped me understand which specific tax documents I needed to gather. I was able to file my federal taxes, wait for processing, and then complete my FAFSA without any issues! My state taxes were filed later and it didn't affect my financial aid at all. Definitely saved me from unnecessary stress and expenses.

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Malik Thomas

•8M

If you're struggling to get someone at the IRS to answer questions about how your unfiled taxes might affect your FAFSA, I highly recommend Claimyr. I spent DAYS trying to get through to the IRS on my own last semester about a similar situation. Finally used https://claimyr.com and they got me connected to an IRS agent in about 15 minutes. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent confirmed that for FAFSA purposes, only my federal return mattered, and they even helped me understand the timeline for when my information would be available in the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Saved me weeks of stress and uncertainty about my financial aid.

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Malik Thomas

•8M

They basically use a system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. When they finally reach an agent, you get a call connecting you directly. You don't have to sit through the hold music or automated messages. No, it's definitely not a scam. I was super skeptical too, especially after waiting on hold for 3+ hours myself multiple times only to get disconnected. The service monitors the phone lines, navigates all the prompts, waits on hold, and then calls you once they have an actual agent on the line. I got through in about 15 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own. It saved my financial aid situation because I had a deadline coming up fast.

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Emma Wilson

•8M

I need to apologize for being so negative about Claimyr earlier. After my comment, I was desperate enough to try it because my FAFSA deadline was approaching and I needed confirmation from the IRS about my tax situation. To my complete shock, I got connected to an actual IRS representative in about 20 minutes. The agent confirmed that I only needed my federal return processed for FAFSA purposes and gave me specific guidance on my situation. They even told me exactly when my return would be available in the IRS system for the FAFSA Data Retrieval Tool. I was able to complete everything in time for my school's priority deadline. I've literally never been able to reach the IRS without hours of waiting before.

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Isabella Costa

•8M

Yes, most schools' financial aid offices can definitely help with FAFSA issues related to taxes. They deal with these situations constantly and often have specific procedures for students with unusual tax circumstances. They can sometimes also offer guidance about whether you might qualify for special circumstances consideration if your financial situation has changed since the tax year used for the FAFSA. Don't hesitate to reach out to them directly - they're usually very helpful and can sometimes offer solutions you wouldn't know about otherwise.

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