Acceptable IRS Documentation
Tax Filers
Preferred Method
IRS Data Retrieval (DRT)
This option is recommended by Miami University and provides you with the fastest, easiest and most secure way to verify your tax data. The DRT will populate your federal tax information into the FAFSA. A successful DRT on the FAFSA will satisfy the Parent and/or Student Taxes requirement.
Alternate Methods
Federal Tax Return
Tax filers may submit a copy of the appropriate FAFSA year Federal Tax Return Form 1040 signed by the tax filer, including all applicable Schedules 1-3. We cannot accept state tax returns or the U.S. Individual Tax Declaration for Electronic Filing (Form 8453).
IRS Tax Return Transcript
In lieu of the signed Federal 1040, tax filers can request the appropriate FAFSA year Tax Return Transcript, free of charge, from the IRS. The IRS regulations limit a tax filer to one request per year. We strongly advise you to send us a copy so you may keep your original. Miami is unable to return the transcript to you. Only use this method if you are unable to use the IRS DRT or submit a signed Federal 1040. There are four ways to request an IRS Tax Return Transcript. Visit the IRS website for more information.
Amended Tax Returns
1040X
If you have amended your tax return, you must submit your signed Federal 1040X, which will provide the updated information.
In the event that the IRS made changes to your tax return for you and a 1040X form was not completed, or you did not keep a copy, use the IRS Tax Return Transcript steps above to request an “Account Transcript.”
Non-Tax Filers
IRS Non-Filing Letter
Parents of dependent students and independent students and their spouse, are required to submit an IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter if they did not file and were not required to file a federal tax return. The letter must be dated on or after October 1 and can be requested by completing a 4506-T form (not the 4506T-EZ form). Be sure to check the box on Line 7 for "Verification of Non-filing," enter the tax year dates on line 9, sign it, and mail it to the IRS. You can also follow the steps above to obtain a Tax Return Transcript.
If you attempted but were unable to obtain the IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter, submit a signed statement certifying the parent or student (if the student is independent) and spouse (if applicable), attempted to obtain the IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter from the IRS and was unable to obtain the required documentation, that they did not and was not required to file, and also list the sources and amounts for all income earned from work.