IRS Tax Return Transcript and Verification of Non-filing Letter Request Instructions

Many students are selected for a process called verification by the Department of Education and are required to submit income information and other documents before they are eligible to receive a financial aid award.

The Office of Student Financial Aid recommends the use of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to import 2021 IRS Tax information directly into the 2023-2024 FAFSA. If you are not able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA, our office is required to collect a 2021 Tax Return Transcript obtained directly from the IRS.

If you or your parents were not required to file a tax return, you must submit the 2021 IRS Verification of Non-filing letter.  Copies of 2021 W-2s are also required if you worked.

Both the IRS Tax Return Transcript and the Verification of Non-filing letter may be requested from the IRS free of charge.  Options for requesting this information are listed below.

* Reminder: To maintain on-time filing status, all verification documents must be received in the Student Financial Aid office by the verification deadline. 

Once you receive your Tax Return Transcript or Verification of Non-filing letter, please clearly write the student’s full name and MaineStreet ID number on each page and send it to the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Online Transcript OR Verification of Non-filing Letter* Request (For Immediate Download)

  1. Go to www.irs.gov
  2. Select “Get Your Tax Record”
  3. What you will need to use this service:
    1. an IRS username and password or you must create an ID.me account (government-issued identification required to create account),
    2. your SSN, date of birth, filing status and mailing address from latest tax return,
    3. access to your email account
    4. If successfully validated, tax filers or non-filers should have immediate access to view, download, and print transcripts.

*If you have attempted to obtain the Verification of Non-filing letter online (using the steps above), and were not successful, please complete the Non-tax Filer Certification Form and submit with a screenshot of the attempt. 

Please note requested tax transcripts will not be received until after a tax return has been processed.  Electronically filed tax returns will take approximately 1-2 weeks to process after the return has been filed.  Paper filed tax returns will take approximately 6-8 weeks to process after the return has been filed.

Important: Requesting your Tax Return Transcript is a free service. While the IRS offers services that require fees, the Office of Student Financial Aid will only request documentation that you may obtain free of charge.

Individuals who live outside the U.S. and do not have a U.S. zip code cannot complete IRS Data Retrieval or electronically request a tax return transcript. If you are a taxpayer who lives outside the United States, the IRS has full-time permanent staff in 4 U.S. embassies and consulates.  Click here for more information.

If you have further questions regarding Tax Transcripts or Verification of Non-filing Letter, please contact our office.