Verification Information
2024-2025 Forms
Deadlines for Submitting Documents
Verification FAQ's
Verification is the process of comparing the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with information on your tax returns and other financial documents and making corrections as necessary. Verification is a process used by the College to check for accuracy of FAFSA data. The purpose is to reduce error rates in applicant-reported data and to assure eligible applicants receive the correct amount of financial assistance. It is a requirement via federal financial aid regulations.
WHO MUST COMPLETE VERIFICATION?
The Federal Central Processing Center (CPS) selects financial aid applicants for verification and targets the verification of error-prone data items. As part of federal student aid eligibility, applicants are required to provide consent and approve the sharing and importing of income and tax information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to the FAFSA form, even if the attempt to obtain or use such data is ineffective. In most cases, no further documentation is needed to verify 2022 income information that was transferred into the student’s FAFSA using income and tax information directly from the IRS. If 2022 income tax return information for students and parents of dependent students was not available or could not be used the student and parents should provide the institution with a signed copy of a 2022 income tax return and applicable schedules or 2022 IRS Tax Return Transcript(s).
The College may also select an applicant if there appears to be conflicting or inconsistent information on the application.
WHAT INFORMATION IS NEEDED FOR VERIFICATION?
In accordance with federal financial aid regulations, colleges are required to rely on unchanged Federal Tax Information (FTI) obtained via the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange. This unchanged data is from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax returns as primary sources of documentation for verification purposes. If requested, all applicants must complete and sign any requested documents to verify information on the FAFSA. Dependent students must have a parent sign any requested documents.
If requested, applicants must submit a signed copy of their Federal income tax return for 2022 (1040 and tax schedules 1, 2, 3 if filed). If requested, applicants who are dependent also must have their parent(s) submit a signed copy of their Federal income tax return for 2022 (1040 and tax schedules 1, 2, 3 if filed).
Please read all of the instructions on the forms and complete all of the sections with the required information.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR VERIFICATION:
- Signed 2022 1040 federal income tax return: You can submit a signed copy of the 2022 Federal Income tax return (1040 and tax schedules 1, 2, 3 if filed) that the tax filer submitted to the IRS or other tax authorities.
- Official 2022 IRS tax return transcript for 1040 filers:
You can also submit a copy of the 2022 tax “Return Transcript” directly from the IRS (including all pages and schedules). Please refer to our 2024-2025 Tax Return Documentation Instructions regarding the steps necessary to request an IRS transcript, free of charge.
The “Return Transcript” is the IRS document that should be requested for financial aid verification. Do not select “Account Transcript” as this is not a copy of the entire tax return and is not acceptable by the Office of Student Financial Services.
Please write the student’s name and school ID number on tax documents prior to submission to the office.
- Non-tax filers:
If a tax return is not required to be filed with the IRS, the applicant must report all non-taxable income received, as well as the amount and sources of any income earned. All 2022 W-2’s from employers must be submitted for the non-tax filer(s). Except for dependent students, an IRS confirmation of non-filing status from the foreign country is also needed for those who are not required to file foreign federal tax returns in 2022. All foreign non-tax filers are also required to submit documentation from the foreign tax authority’s website and proof of the country’s tax filing requirements. A Low-Income Verification Form may also be requested.
- Special Tax Filing Circumstances:
The U.S. Department of Education describes tax filers as having special tax filing circumstances for verification if they:
- Filed a joint 2022 tax return and are:
- – Separated, divorced, or widowed.
- – Married to someone other than the individual included on the joint tax return.
- Had a change in marital status after the end of the 2022 tax year on December 31, 2022.
- In 2022, filed a foreign tax return or a non-U.S. tax return and therefore cannot obtain a tax transcript from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- Are victims of identity theft.
- Are tax filers who filed their 2022 tax return before filing the FAFSA and the tax return has not yet been processed.
- Are tax filers who have IRS tax filing extensions beyond the automatic six-month extension for the 2022 tax year.
- Are an individual called up for active duty or for qualifying National Guard duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency.
Generally, a signed copy of the 2022 income tax return (1040 with any tax schedules 1, 2, or 3) is required. If you have a special tax filing circumstance, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services at SUNY New Paltz by phone at 845-257-3250 or by e-mail at fao@newpaltz.edu for questions about additional documentation that may be required to satisfy the applicant’s verification requirements.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE REQUESTED?
Other documents may be requested to resolve conflicting data or provide clarification of reported data. These documents may include bank statements, brokerage statements, divorce/separation agreements, child support documentation, asset verification worksheets, W2’s, and low-income verification forms. If we require such documents then we will email you links to the required forms found on our Forms Page. In some situations, additional income tax return documents and tax schedules may be requested for clarification of reported data.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS ARE SUBMITTED?
Documents are reviewed for completeness and accuracy. If everything is complete and accurate an award letter will be sent via email within a week of being reviewed. If additional documents are needed, a request is sent out via email. If corrections need to be made, the College will send the data to the FAFSA Processing System (FPS). FPS will calculate a new Student Aid Index (SAI) and send the results to you and the College. After the College receives the corrected FAFSA Submission Summary with the new SAI you will be sent an award letter via email notifying you of your aid eligibility. This notification will be sent within two weeks. The award letter will also be posted at my.newpaltz.edu. Information on your application status, the status of verification requirements, and eligibility can also be found at my.newpaltz.edu.
DEADLINES FOR SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS
All requested information must be submitted within 60 days of the last request for information. Failure to submit information in a timely fashion may result in the application being filed as inactive with no further consideration and no federal aid being processed. A one-time request for a 30-day extension may be granted due to extenuating circumstances and must be sent in writing to the Office of Student Financial Services at SUNY New Paltz.
Q) How long will it take for an IRS tax return transcript to be received in the mail?
A) If successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper IRS Tax Return Transcript at the address included in their online or telephone request, within 5 to 10 days from the time the request was successfully transmitted to the IRS. For those using a paper request form (IRS Form 4506T-EZ), tax filers can expect to receive their transcript within 5 to 10 days from the time the IRS receives and processes their signed request.
If you need personal tax help in person you may also be able to visit your local IRS office. Need help locating your local office? Local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center Contact Information for Face-to-face Tax Help.
Q) What can I do if I am a tax filer who needs help determining my correct tax filing status?
A) The IRS has an excellent online tool to help taxpayers determine their correct filing status. It may be found here: What is my filing status?
Q) What can I do if I am a foreign non-tax filer in 2022 and can’t obtain documentation of my non-tax filing status?
A) If you have attempted to obtain a verification of non-filing from the IRS or other foreign tax authorities and have been unable to obtain the required documentation you can submit the 2024-2025 Statement of Tax Non-Filing to our office.
