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FAFSA IRS transfer tool is blind for this fall's admissions cycle


JanetC
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When the transfer tool opens for the new FAFSA season in October, you will be able to import data, but not actually see or correct what you are importing. The FAFSA will display only "imported from the IRS."

 

If your current year filing status is different from your prior prior year status (divorce is a common example) you would normally adjust your numbers (in this case to only show income of custodial parent). It looks like they are adding a field to the FAFSA to handle Rollover IRAs, another common adjustment. (Rolled over money is not treated as income for FAFSA purposes.)

 

https://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/080717ChangestoIRSDRT1819FAFSAForm.html

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I will be entering all my info manually if I can not see the results to check for errors!

This will likely trigger required verification, possibly delaying your aid if you file last minute.

 

The most important thing to know is, if you need to adjust (other than IRA rollover), do not import.

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The numbers should be correct, but I'd sure like to see them. It should be just as easy to show us the numbers and flag it if anything is changed.

 

The problem was that it was too easy for hackers to guess enough information to trigger the import, then use the visible imported data as the basis to file a fraudulent tax return and get a free refund. Rather than making it harder to import, it's just as easy to import, but it's harder to see the data you need to defraud the government.

Edited by JanetC
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I think what I'll probably do is use the worksheet and see if the EFC comes out the same or similar to the EFC the online FAFSA gets with imported data. I'm glad they're making it harder for hackers to defraud the government but I wonder if this is enough of a safeguard for the students & parents wrt identity theft. We're still putting a lot of info out there (but maybe it's not enough info to make it a worthwhile target for hackers without the IRS info?)

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