How to answer FAFSA^® student income tax questions

Here’s a guide for how to correctly fill in your tax filing status and tax return info on the 2026-27 FAFSA^®.

Providing consent to transfer federal tax information from the IRS

Why do they need this info?

To be eligible for federal aid, you have to consent to allow the FAFSA^® to import your tax return information directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for your application. Providing consent also lets you skip the remaining income tax questions on the FAFSA^®, making it faster to complete.

Can I skip these questions?

Not if you want to get federal FAFSA^® money! You must answer AND provide consent, or you’ll be ineligible for federal financial aid.
Even if you type in your tax return information yourself (which you can do if you decline to provide consent), you still won’t qualify for federal aid.

How to answer these questions

For the online application, select “Approve” to consent to transfer federal tax information from the IRS.
For the paper version, on question 24 check the circle next to “Approval to transfer federal tax information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)”.
Provide your signature and the date.

Why do they need this info?

The FAFSA^® looks at your (and your spouse’s, if you’re married) tax returns and other financial info when figuring out your financial aid eligibility.

Can I skip these questions?

Yes, as long as you provide consent to import federal tax information from the IRS in the previous section.
The FAFSA^® will import your tax return information into your application once you’ve provided consent.
Your FAFSA^® won’t be processed and you won’t qualify for federal financial aid unless you provide this consent.
On the paper form, you can skip all of question 20 as long as you provide electronic transfer consent in question 24.

How to answer these questions

Select yes if you filed a 2023 IRS Form 1040 or 1040-NR or plan to. Also select yes if you filed or will file a tax return with Puerto Rico or another U.S. territory.
Select yes if you earned income in a foreign country or were employed by an international organization like the United Nations, World Bank, or International Monetary Fund.
Select no if these situations don’t apply to you.

Why do they need this info?

The FAFSA^® looks at your tax return and other financial info (and your spouse’s, if you’re married) to determine what types of aid may get and the amount you’ll qualify for

Can I skip these questions?

Yes, as long as you provide consent to transfer federal tax information from the IRS.
Your FAFSA^® will not be processed unless you provide this consent.
On the paper form, you can skip all of question 20 as long as you provide electronic transfer consent in question 24.
The FAFSA^® will import your tax return info into your application once you’ve provided consent.

How to answer these questions

Check “Consent to transfer federal tax information from the Internal Revenue Service” (question 24, Student Consent and Signature on the paper version).
Enter your signature and the date you signed.