Office of Financial Aid

Tax Transcript Submission Guidelines

Make sure the student's name and USF ID number at the top of every page and submit to Office of Financial Aid (OFA). Mailing Address: 4202 East Fowler Avenue, SVC 1102, Tampa, FL 33620.

A. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)

This is the fastest way to update the tax data on your FAFSA. Log back into your FAFSA online and choose the make corrections option, then follow the on screen directions to link to the IRS.

B. Get an Online Transcript Immediately

  1. Go to http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript
  2. Select ‘Get Transcript Online’;
    • If you were previously registered, you will need to re-register and strengthen your authentication in order to access the request tool
    • If you do not have an IRS account, click the ‘Create an Account’ button and follow the steps; (Parents of dependent students must create their own account to get an online transcript due to security validation questions) then,
  3. On the ‘Get Transcript’ page and choose ‘Higher Education/Student Aid’;
  4. In the ‘Return Transcript’ section, 
    a. Select ‘2020’ for school year 2022-2023 (fall 2022, spring 2023, summer 2023);
    b. Select ‘2021’ for school year 2023-2024 (fall 2023, spring 2024, summer 2024);
    c. Print the transcript(s).

C. To Order a Transcript By Mail:

  1. Go to http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript  
  2. Select ‘Get Transcript By Mail’;
  3. Enter all required information and click ‘Continue’;
  4. Select ‘Return Transcript’ from the dropdown menu;
    1. In the ‘Type of Transcript’ dropdown menu,
    2. Select ‘2020’ for school year 2022-2023 (fall 2022, spring 2023, summer 2023); and/or
    3. Select ‘2021’ for school year 2021-2022 (fall 2023, spring 2024, summer 2024);
  5. After you order the tax return transcript(s), it will be mailed to you within 5-10 days.

D. IRS Form W2 requests:

  1. On the ‘Get Transcript’ page http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript choose ‘Higher Education/Student Aid’ and
  2. In the ‘Wage & Income Transcript’ section, select the appropriate year and print the form(s).

E. Non-Tax Filers:

  1. If you did not/were not required to file a tax return, go to http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript
  2. Select the appropriate year on the ‘Get Transcript’ page (there will be an asterisk next to the tax year).
    a. Select ‘2020 for school year 2022-2023 (fall 2022, spring 2023, summer 2023);
    b. Select ‘2021’ for school year 2023-2024 (fall 2023, spring 2024, summer 2024);
  3. Print the non-filing statement.

Note: A Tax Return Transcript and a Tax Account Transcript that includes a message such as “no record of return filed” or “no transcript on file” is acceptable documentation for verification of non-filing status

F. Amended Tax Return Filer?

  1. Submit the IRS Tax Return Transcript AND
  2. A signed copy of the original IRS form 1040X that was filed with the IRS.

G. Tax Extension?

If you, your parent(s) or spouse filed a tax extension for the 2020 or 2021 tax years, and was granted an extension by the IRS beyond the automatic six-month extension, you must provide:

  1. A copy of IRS Form 4868, “Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return”.
  2. A copy of the IRS’s approval of an extension beyond the automatic six-month extension for tax year 2020 for school year 2022-2023 or 2021 for school year 2023-2024 or tax year;
  3. Verification of non-filing (see non-tax filers for more information) from the IRS dated on or after October 1, 2020 for school year 2022-2023 or October 1, 2021 for school year 2023-2024;
  4. Copies of all their W-2 forms (or equivalent); and
  5. If self-employed, a signed statement with the amounts of their AGI and U.S. income tax paid.

H. Submitting a Paper Tax Return:

  1. Obtain a signed copy of the 2020 1040 for school year 2022-2023 or 2021 1040 for school year 2023-2024;
  2. All applicable sections of the tax return must be completed. Copies of Schedule 1, 2, and/or 3 must be attached if completed.
  3. Copy must contain a wet signature (signed in ink on the ‘SIGN HERE’ line of the tax return) OR if the tax return was completed by a “Paid Preparer”, the “Paid Preparer” section should include:
    a. Printed/typed name of preparer (cannot only have name of the company).
    b. EIN must be on the PTIN line.