2026-2027 Verification

If your FAFSA is selected for federal verification in the 2026-2027 academic year, you must submit additional documentation to confirm your eligibility for federal financial assistance. A list of requested documents will be available in your SHUAwards account, under Menu > Documents & Messages. Required documentation typically includes a verification worksheet and 2024 income statements (i.e. a federal tax return form 1040, W-2s, 1099s, etc.).

IRS Income Verification for Tax Filers

Federal student aid eligibility is usually determined through IRS tax data shared via FAFSA using the IRS Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX). Students - and parents or spouses, if applicable - must consent to share tax information or confirm non-filing status, even if the transfer fails. If separate 2024 returns were filed, each filer must consent. When IRS data imports successfully, no further documentation is typically required.

Important: If you claimed a Foreign Income Exclusion and used FA-DDX, you must submit either a tax transcript or a complete tax return with all schedules.

If the IRS Direct Data Exchange does not work:
You will need to provide tax information directly to the school. Acceptable documentation includes:

IRS Tax Return Transcript (preferred)
- Online: Visit the IRS website and select “Get Transcript Online” or “Get Transcript by Mail.” Request the Return Transcript for Tax Year 2024 (not the Account Transcript).
- Phone: Call 1-800-908-9946 to request a 2024 IRS Tax Return Transcript.
- Paper Form: Submit IRS Form 4506T-EZ or IRS Form 4506-T.
Signed Copy of Your Federal Tax Return (including all applicable schedules)

Non-Tax Filer Income Verification Directions

If you consent and approve sharing your income tax information from the IRS to the FAFSA form and the transfer confirms that you are a non-filer, you must provide copies of your 2024 W-2 forms if you earned income. If your tax information does not transfer through the IRS Direct Data Exchange, you must first confirm your non-filing status and then provide copies of your 2024 W-2 forms if you earned income. Additional documentation may be requested.

IRS Tax Filers with Special Circumstances

An individual who is required to file a 2024 IRS income tax return and has been granted a filing extension by the IRS beyond the six-month extension for tax year 2024, must provide:

A signed statement listing the sources of any 2024 income and the amount of income from each source; and
A copy of the IRS's approval of an extension beyond the automatic six-month extension for tax year 2024; and
A copy of IRS Form W–2 for each source of employment income received or an equivalent document for tax year 2024; and
If self-employed, a signed statement certifying the amount of the individual’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and the U.S. income tax paid for tax year 2024.

An individual who was the victim of IRS tax-related identity theft must provide:

A Tax Return Database View (TRDBV) transcript from the IRS or an equivalent document provided by the IRS or a copy of the signed 2024 income tax return and applicable schedules the individual filed with the IRS; and
A statement signed and dated by the tax filer indicating that he or she was a victim of IRS tax related identity theft and that the IRS is aware of the tax-related identity theft.

If an amended tax return was filed and processed by the IRS before the FAFSA was filed, and if federal tax information (FTI) is successfully transferred, the FAFSA will contain the amended tax return data.

If you were unsuccessful in transferring your tax data through the IRS Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) through FAFSA or you amended your tax 2024 federal tax return after you submitted your FAFSA, please also submit to our office:

A signed copy of the 2024 IRS Form 1040X that was filed with the IRS or documentation from the IRS that include the change(s) made by the IRS, in addition to one of the following:

Updated income and tax information from the IRS Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) process through FAFSA with all tax information from the original tax return; or
A 2024 IRS Tax Return Transcript (that will only include information from the original tax return and does not have to be signed), or any other IRS tax transcript(s) that includes all of the income and tax information required to be verified; or

A signed copy of the 2024 IRS Form 1040 and the applicable schedules that were filed with the IRS.

Provide the following to if you do have an Untaxed IRA and/or Pension Rollover:

A written notice/request for correction to your FAFSA Untaxed IRA and/or Pension Rollover; and
A copy of IRS Form 1099-R for all IRA or Pension distributions

If you are a U.S. IRS non-filer but answered “Yes” on the FAFSA to having filed a tax return in a foreign country or U.S. territory, here’s what you need to do:

Obtain a Verification/Confirmation of Non-Filing Letter

This letter must come from the tax authority of the country or U.S. territory where you indicated you filed taxes (not the IRS).
It must be dated on or after October 1, 2025, and confirm that you did not file a 2024 tax return.

Who needs to provide this letter?

Dependent students: Each parent who would have filed with a foreign or U.S. territory tax authority but did not.
Independent students: The student and/or spouse who would have filed with a foreign or U.S. territory tax authority but did not.

Submit the following to Sacred Heart University:

The Verification/Confirmation of Non-Filing Letter (include the student’s name and Sacred Heart ID number).
All 2024 W-2 forms or equivalent income documents.

If you cannot obtain the letter:

Indicate on the Verification Form that you were unable to obtain the document.
Still submit all W-2 or equivalent income documents.