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Yes, you may use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool if you are eligible to do so. You should go back into your FAFSA on the federal website www.fafsa.gov to update your application. Once completed, it can take up to 72 business hours for our office to receive your updated FAFSA. For more information about using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, please visit: http://www.umbc.edu/financialaid/irs_data_retrieval.html.

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There are multiple reasons why the tax return transcript may not be available:

• You have not yet filed a tax return
• The tax return is still being processed by the IRS
  • Processing time for taxes filed electronically is approximately three weeks 
  • Processing time for taxes filed by mail is approximately 8-11 weeks
• The tax return transcript is being held for another reason - you should contact the IRS directly for additional information.

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You may order the tax return transcript from the IRS by visiting: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Order-a-Transcript, or by calling 1-800-908-9946. 

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The tax account transcript is also a free document tax filers request from the IRS. Unlike the tax return transcript, the tax account transcript provides only basic data from your tax return form including: the marital status, the type of return filed (1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ), the adjusted gross income, and the taxable income. The tax account transcript also includes any adjustments made by the tax filer or the tax preparer.

The UMBC Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will not accept the tax account transcript for verification purposes. Students and parents should submit the tax return transcript. 

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The tax return is a form filed with the IRS that is used to determine an individual’s tax liability. Forms include the 1040, the 1040A, or the 1040EZ.

The tax return transcript is a document tax filers can request from the IRS that includes the information submitted on the tax return.  It does not include any changes the tax filer or the tax preparer made after filing the original tax return.

The Department of Education (DOE) does not allow schools to accept the tax return (1040 form) for verification purposes. Students and parents should request the tax return transcript. 

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No, independent students should at least include themselves in the household. You should list yourself even if you do not provide more than 50% of your own financial support. 

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You should include the parent that provides more than 50% of your financial support and all of their dependents (and spouse, if remarried).  Please be sure to include yourself in the household.

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When a FAFSA is submitted, the Department of Education (DOE) links to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm that the applicant is a citizen or an eligible non-citizen. If the information at either of these agencies does not match the information supplied on the FAFSA, DOE requires the educational institution to verify the student’s citizenship status. Students should review the comments on their SAR to determine which agency should be contacted to resolve the mismatch. 

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The selection process for verification is random. Not only is it possible to never be selected, but it is also possible to be selected for multiple years. Having certain characteristics or completing the FAFSA incorrectly will not automatically flag your application for verification. 

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