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(General) Subject: Update to Previously Announced Verification Process for Nontax-Filers

Posted Date:July 21, 2017

Author: Jeff Baker, Director, Policy Liaison and Implementation, Federal Student Aid

Subject: Update to Previously Announced Verification Process for Nontax-Filers

During the Federal Student Aid Training Conference last year we announced that beginning with the 2018-2019 FAFSA, individuals who indicated on the FAFSA that they did not file a tax return would be able to use the IRS DRT to obtain and transfer to the FAFSA confirmation of such non-filing. Upon further consideration, the IRS has determined that this enhancement to the IRS DRT process is not possible because the IRS cannot adequately verify an individual’s identity when there is no tax return on file. Therefore, for the 2018-2019 FAFSA, in instances where a student who has been selected for verification indicated that he or she did not file an IRS tax return, institutions must comply with the acceptable documentation requirements as discussed in the May 5, 2017, Federal Register notice.

Finally, as noted in the May 5, 2017 Federal Register Notice and in a May 25, 2017 Dear Colleague Letter (GEN 17-05), beginning with the 2018-2019 FAFSA, we no longer require confirmation of non-filing for dependent students.

If you have questions about the information provided in the letter, please contact Federal Student Aid’s Research and Customer Care Center Staff. Staff is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) at 1-800-433-7327. After-hours calls will be accepted by an automated voice response system. Callers leaving their names and phone numbers will receive a return call the next business day. Alternatively, you may e-mail the Care Center at fsa.customer.support@ed.gov.