Verification
Federal verification is a process that requires a college to collect documentation to verify and correct information reported on your financial aid application. If the Department of Education selects your application for federal verification, all requirements must be completed before our office can finalize a financial aid award offer. It should be noted that any corrections made to your financial aid application may impact your aid eligibility.
Verification Deadlines
- CAS Early Decision
November 25
- CAS Early Action
December 7 - CAS Regular Students
February 12
- CAS Continuing Students
March 28
- Graduate & Law Students
April 15
En español
Quick Links:
2023-24 Dependent Verification Worksheet
2023-24 Independent Verification Worksheet (uncommon)
Am I a dependent or independent student?
Hint: Whether you are a dependent or independent student for FAFSA purposes is unrelated to whether your parent(s) claim you on their taxes.
IRS - Get Transcript
Request a Tax Return Transcript, Verification of Non-Filing Letter, and other tax transcripts from here.
To begin or review the verification process, select your student type below:
Tax Filers
To complete the Federal verification process you must verify your income and complete a verification worksheet. Select one of the options below to get started!
Option #1: Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)
The Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is the fastest and easiest way to verify income tax information. If you already used the DRT to import tax information into the FAFSA, you have completed this part of the verification process and can skip to the verification worksheet link below.
- To use DRT you must log in to your 2023-24 FAFSA.
- Select “Make FAFSA Corrections” and navigate to the “Financial Information” section. Follow the instructions to determine if the parent(s) are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
- Dependent Students: When asked if the parent(s) completed a 2021 tax return, update the response to “Already completed and follow the prompts.
- Independent Students: When asked if you (and spouse if applicable) completed a 2021 tax return, update the response to “Already completed and follow the prompts.
- The IRS page will require you to authenticate your identity by entering your personal data exactly as it appears on your tax return.
- To import your tax information into the FAFSA select the box under the “Transfer My Tax Information into the FAFSA” section and select the “Transfer Now” button to import your data and return to the FAFSA.
- The tax data will not be visible to you in the FAFSA, however, you will see the phrase “Transferred from the IRS” under each of the fields where you imported data.
- Dependent Students: If the student filed a 2021 federal tax return, repeat these steps in the student section of the FAFSA.
- Navigate to the Sign & Submit section of the FAFSA to submit the corrections. You’re Done! (Note: For dependent students: both the student and a parent must sign & submit the corrections)
— and —
- Download and complete a 2023-24 Verification Worksheet. You will need to print your completed form and sign/date it prior to submitting it to the Financial Aid Office:
- 2023-24 Dependent Verification Worksheet — All dependent students are required to sign the worksheet along with at least one parent signature.
- 2023-24 Independent Verification Worksheet
—OR—
Option #2: Copies of 2021 Tax Return or Information
If you were not able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you may submit one of the following tax documents as well as a completed verification worksheet:
1) A SIGNED copy of your 2021 federal tax return and all associated Schedules. Note: If you reported a marital status of “married” on the FAFSA, but you and your spouse file taxes as “married, filing separate,” you must submit a separate SIGNED copy of a 2021 federal tax return and Schedules for your spouse.
OR
2) A copy of a 2021 Tax Return Transcript, which may be obtained directly from the IRS.
-
Online Transcript Request: Go to IRS.gov/transcript. Choose “Get Transcript Online” for instant delivery of your Tax Return Transcript via PDF.
- Make sure to request the 2021 IRS Tax Return Transcript and NOT the IRS Tax Account Transcript.
- The IRS recommends requesting the transcript online since it is the fastest method.
-
Alternatives to Requesting a Transcript Online:
- If you can’t get your transcript online, you can request a Tax Return Transcript be sent to you through U.S. Mail instead. Go to IRS.gov/transcript and choose “Get Transcript by Mail.” To request a transcript by mail, you need your mailing address from your latest federal tax return. Make sure to request the 2021 IRS Tax Return Transcript and NOT the IRS Tax Account Transcript.
- If you can’t access the use the “Get Transcript by Mail” option online, you can call the IRS automated phone transcript service at 800-908-9946 to request a transcript be mailed to you. Make sure to request the 2021 IRS Tax Return Transcript and NOT the IRS Tax Account Transcript.
— and —
-
Download and complete a 2023-24 Verification Worksheet. You will need to print your completed form and sign/date it prior to submitting it to the Financial Aid Office:
- 2023-24 Dependent Verification Worksheet — All dependent students are required to sign the worksheet along with at least one parent signature.
- 2023-24 Independent Verification Worksheet
—OR—
Option #3: Non-Tax Filers
If you did not file federal taxes for 2021 you must submit the following documentation to our office:
Dependent Students:
-
Parent Verification of Non-Filing Letter: If your parent(s) did not and were not required to file taxes for 2021, you must submit a Verification of Non-filing Letter (VONF) obtained directly from the IRS. The letter must be for the tax year 2021 and dated after October 1, 2022. To request a letter:
- Online Request: Go to IRS.gov/transcript. Choose “Get Transcript Online” for instant delivery via PDF, or choose “Get Transcript by Mail” for postal delivery within 5-10 days. Request a 2021 Verification of Non-Filing Letter.
- Paper Request: Download IRS Form 4506-T. Complete lines 1-4, check the box on line 7, and enter “12/31/2021” on line 9. Check the attestation box, sign, date, and submit to the IRS as instructed on page 2 of the form. Mail or fax to Utah or Missouri depending on your state of residence.
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Special Note: If your parent(s) requested a Verification of Non-filing (VONF) from the IRS or other relevant tax authorities but did not receive it, they may use this alternative process if ALL of the following are true:
- At least 10 business days have elapsed since they submitted Form 4506-T to the IRS or other relevant tax authority, and
- They made a good-faith effort and tried to obtain the Verification of Non-filing (VONF), but were unable to obtain it from the IRS or other relevant tax authorities, and
- They contacted the Lewis & Clark Financial Aid Office to discuss the situation to determine if they are able to submit a signed statement to certify all of the following:
- They attempted to obtain the VONF from the IRS or other tax authorities and was unable to obtain the required documentation, and
- They have not filed and were not required to file a 2021 income tax return, and
- They must list the sources and amounts of any 2021 income earned from work.
— and —
- Copies of all Parent(s) 2021 W-2 Forms
- Copies of all Student 2021 W-2 Forms
— and —
- Download and complete a 2023-24 Dependent Verification Worksheet. You will need to print your completed form and sign/date it prior to submitting it to the Financial Aid Office. All dependent students are required to sign the worksheet along with at least one parent signature.
Independent Students:
-
Student Verification of Non-Filing Letter: If you (and/or your spouse, if applicable) did not file, and were not required to file taxes for 2021, you must submit a Verification of Non-filing Letter (VONF) obtained directly from the IRS. The letter must be for tax year 2021, and dated after October 1, 2022. To request a letter:
- Online Request: Go to IRS.gov/transcript. Choose “Get Transcript Online” for instant delivery via PDF, or choose “Get Transcript by Mail” for postal delivery within 5-10 days. Request a 2021 Verification of Non-Filing Letter.
- Paper Request: Download IRS Form 4506-T. Complete lines 1-4, check the box on line 7, and enter “12/31/2021” on line 9. Check the attestation box, sign, date, and submit to the IRS as instructed on page 2 of the form. Mail or fax to Utah or Missouri depending on your state of residence.
-
Special Note: If you (and/or your spouse, if applicable) requested a Verification of Non-filing (VONF) from the IRS or other relevant tax authorities but did not receive it, you may use this alternative process if ALL of the following are true:
- At least 10 business days have elapsed since you submitted Form 4506-T to the IRS or other relevant tax authority, and
- You made a good-faith effort and tried to obtain the Verification of Non-filing (VONF), but were unable to obtain it from the IRS or other relevant tax authorities, and
- You contacted the Lewis & Clark Financial Aid Office to discuss the situation to determine if you are able to submit a signed statement to certify all of the following:
- You/They attempted to obtain the VONF from the IRS or other tax authorities and were unable to obtain the required documentation, and
- You/They have not filed and were not required to file a 2021 income tax return, and
- You/They must list the sources and amounts of any 2021 income earned from work.
— and —
- Copies of all Student (and/or spouse, if applicable) 2021 W-2 Forms
— and —
- Download and complete a 2023-24 Independent Verification Worksheet. You will need to print your completed form and sign/date it prior to submitting it to the Financial Aid Office.
Tax Filers
To complete the Federal verification process you must verify your income and complete a verification worksheet. Select one of the options below to get started!
Option #1: Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)
The Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is the fastest and easiest way to verify income tax information. If you already used the DRT to import tax information into the FAFSA, you have completed this part of the verification process and can skip to the verification worksheet link below.
- To use DRT you must log in to your 2023-24 FAFSA.
- Select “Make FAFSA Corrections” and navigate to the “Financial Information” section. Follow the instructions to determine if you (and your spouse, if applicable) are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
- Independent Students: When asked if you (and spouse if applicable) completed a 2021 tax return, update the response to “Already completed and follow the prompts.
- The IRS page will require you to authenticate your identity by entering your personal data exactly as it appears on your tax return.
- To import your tax information into the FAFSA select the box under the “Transfer My Tax Information into the FAFSA” section and select the “Transfer Now” button to import your data and return to the FAFSA.
- The tax data will not be visible to you in the FAFSA. You will see the phrase “Transferred from the IRS” under each of the fields where you imported data.
- Navigate to the Sign & Submit section of the FAFSA to submit the corrections. You’re Done!
— and —
- Download and complete a 2023-24 Independent Verification Worksheet. You will need to print your completed form and sign/date it prior to submitting it to the Financial Aid Office.
—OR—
Option #2: Copies of 2021 Tax Return Information
If you were not able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you may submit one of the following tax documents as well as a completed verification worksheet:
1) A SIGNED copy of your 2021 federal tax return and all associated Schedules. Note: If you reported a marital status of “married” on the FAFSA, but you and your spouse file taxes as “married, filing separate,” you must submit a separate SIGNED copy of a 2021 federal tax return and Schedules for your spouse.
OR
2) A copy of a 2021 Tax Return Transcript, which may be obtained directly from the IRS.
-
Online Transcript Request: Go to IRS.gov/transcript. Choose “Get Transcript Online” for instant delivery of your Tax Return Transcript via PDF.
- Make sure to request the 2021 IRS Tax Return Transcript and NOT the IRS Tax Account Transcript.
- The IRS recommends requesting the transcript online since it is the fastest method.
-
Alternatives to Requesting a Transcript Online:
- If you can’t get your transcript online, you can request a Tax Return Transcript be sent to you through U.S. Mail instead. Go to IRS.gov/transcript and choose “Get Transcript by Mail.” To request a transcript by mail, you need your mailing address from your latest federal tax return. Make sure to request the 2021 IRS Tax Return Transcript and NOT the IRS Tax Account Transcript.
- If you can’t access the use the “Get Transcript by Mail” option online, you can call the IRS automated phone transcript service at 800-908-9946 to request a transcript be mailed to you. Make sure to request the 2021 IRS Tax Return Transcript and NOT the IRS Tax Account Transcript.
— and —
- Download and complete a 2023-24 Independent Verification Worksheet. You will need to print your completed form and sign/date it prior to submitting it to the Financial Aid Office.
—OR—
Option #3: Non-Tax Filers
If you (and/or your spouse, if applicable) did not and were not required to file taxes for 2021, you must submit a Verification of Non-filing Letter (VONF) obtained directly from the IRS. The letter must be for the tax year 2021 and dated after October 1, 2022. To request a letter
-
- Online Request: Go to IRS.gov/transcript. Choose “Get Transcript Online” for instant delivery via PDF, or choose “Get Transcript by Mail” for postal delivery within 5-10 days. Request a 2021 Verification of Non-Filing Letter.
- Paper Request: Download IRS Form 4506-T. Complete lines 1-4, check the box on line 7, and enter “12/31/2021” on line 9. Check the attestation box, sign, date, and submit to the IRS as instructed on page 2 of the form. Mail or fax to Utah or Missouri depending on your state of residence.
-
Special Note: If you (and/or your spouse, if applicable) requested a Verification of Non-filing (VONF) from the IRS or other relevant tax authorities but did not receive it, you may use this alternative process if ALL of the following are true:
- At least 10 business days have elapsed since you submitted Form 4506-T to the IRS or other relevant tax authority, and
- You made a good-faith effort and tried to obtain the Verification of Non-filing (VONF), but were unable to obtain it from the IRS or other relevant tax authorities, and
- You contacted the Lewis & Clark Financial Aid Office to discuss the situation to determine if you are able to submit a signed statement to certify all of the following:
- You/They attempted to obtain the VONF from the IRS or other tax authorities and were unable to obtain the required documentation, and
- You/They have not filed and were not required to file a 2021 income tax return, and
- You/They must list the sources and amounts of any 2021 income earned from work.
— and —
- Copies of all Student (and Spouse if applicable) 2021 W-2 Forms
— and —
- Download and complete a 2023-24 Independent Verification Worksheet. You will need to print your completed form and sign/date it prior to submitting it to the Financial Aid Office.
Special Situations
If you find yourself in one of the rare situations below, you will need to submit different or additional documentation to our office in order to verify your income data.
Each parent (or step-parent) will need to provide a copy of their federal taxes or request his/her own Tax Return Transcript from the IRS. Both need to be submitted to our office along with a signed verification worksheet.
- A SIGNED copy of your 2021 federal tax return and all associated Schedules, OR
- A copy of your 2021 Tax Return Transcript obtained directly from the IRS. To order a Tax Return Transcript:
-
Online Transcript Request: Go to IRS.gov/transcript. Choose “Get Transcript Online” for instant delivery of your Tax Return Transcript via PDF.
- Make sure to request the 2021 IRS Tax Return Transcript and NOT the IRS Tax Account Transcript.
- The IRS recommends requesting the transcript online since it is the fastest method.
-
Alternatives to Requesting a Transcript Online:
- If you can’t get your transcript online, you can request a Tax Return Transcript be sent to you through U.S. Mail instead. Go to IRS.gov/transcript and choose “Get Transcript by Mail.” To request a transcript by mail, you need your mailing address from your latest federal tax return. Make sure to request the 2021 IRS Tax Return Transcript and NOT the IRS Tax Account Transcript.
- If you can’t access the use the “Get Transcript by Mail” option online, you can call the IRS automated phone transcript service at 800-908-9946 to request a transcript be mailed to you. Make sure to request the 2021 IRS Tax Return Transcript and NOT the IRS Tax Account Transcript.
-
Online Transcript Request: Go to IRS.gov/transcript. Choose “Get Transcript Online” for instant delivery of your Tax Return Transcript via PDF.
— and —
- Download and complete a 2023-24 Dependent Verification Worksheet. You will need to print your completed form and sign/date it prior to submitting it to the Financial Aid Office. All dependent students are required to sign the worksheet along with at least one parent signature.
The student and the student’s spouse will need to provide a copy of their federal taxes or request his/her own Tax Return Transcript from the IRS. Both need to be submitted to our office along with a verification worksheet.
- A SIGNED copy of your 2021 federal tax return and all associated Schedules, OR
- A copy of your 2021 Tax Return Transcript obtained directly from the IRS. To order a Tax Return Transcript:
-
Online Transcript Request: Go to IRS.gov/transcript. Choose “Get Transcript Online” for instant delivery of your Tax Return Transcript via PDF.
- Make sure to request the 2021 IRS Tax Return Transcript and NOT the IRS Tax Account Transcript.
- The IRS recommends requesting the transcript online since it is the fastest method.
-
Alternatives to Requesting a Transcript Online:
- If you can’t get your transcript online, you can request a Tax Return Transcript be sent to you through U.S. Mail instead. Go to IRS.gov/transcript and choose “Get Transcript by Mail.” To request a transcript by mail, you need your mailing address from your latest federal tax return. Make sure to request the 2021 IRS Tax Return Transcript and NOT the IRS Tax Account Transcript.
- If you can’t access the use the “Get Transcript by Mail” option online, you can call the IRS automated phone transcript service at 800-908-9946 to request a transcript be mailed to you. Make sure to request the 2021 IRS Tax Return Transcript and NOT the IRS Tax Account Transcript.
-
Online Transcript Request: Go to IRS.gov/transcript. Choose “Get Transcript Online” for instant delivery of your Tax Return Transcript via PDF.
— and —
- Download and complete a 2023-24 Independent Verification Worksheet. You will need to print your completed form and sign/date it prior to submitting it to the Financial Aid Office. All dependent students are required to sign the worksheet along with at least one parent signature.
You must submit all of the following documents:
- A signed copy of the IRS Form 1040X that was filed with the IRS for 2021.
- A copy of one of the following 2021 Federal tax documents:
- A signed copy of the 2021 IRS 1040 Form and all associated Schedules that was filed with the IRS, or
- A copy of a 2021 Tax Return Transcript or acceptable IRS alternative such as a Record of Account Transcript, a Return Transcript for Taxpayer (RTFTP), and/or an Information Returns Processing Transcript Request—Wages (IRPTR-W), or
- You may log into the FAFSA and use the Data Retrieval Tool to update the income information electronically, by importing it directly from the IRS.
— and —
-
Download and complete a 2023-24 Verification Worksheet. You will need to print your completed form and sign/date it prior to submitting it to the Financial Aid Office:
- 2023-24 Dependent Verification Worksheet — All dependent students are required to sign the worksheet along with at least one parent signature.
- 2023-24 Independent Verification Worksheet
You must submit all of the following documents:
- A copy of the IRS’s approval of an extension beyond the automatic six-month extension for tax year 2021 (e.g., IRS Form 2350).
- Verification of Non-filing Letter from the IRS dated on or after October 1, 2022. (This letter is confirmation that the 2021 tax return has not yet been filed).
-
Special Note: If you (and/or your spouse, if applicable) requested a Verification of Non-filing (VONF) from the IRS or other relevant tax authorities but did not receive it, you may use this alternative process if ALL of the following are true:
- At least 10 business days have elapsed since you submitted Form 4506-T to the IRS or other relevant tax authority, and
- You made a good-faith effort and tried to obtain the Verification of Non-filing (VONF), but were unable to obtain it from the IRS or other relevant tax authorities, and
- You contacted the Lewis & Clark Financial Aid Office to discuss the situation to determine if you are able to submit a signed statement to certify all of the following:
- You/They attempted to obtain the VONF from the IRS or other tax authorities and were unable to obtain the required documentation, and
- You/They have not filed and were not required to file a 2021 income tax return, and
- You/They must list the sources and amounts of any 2021 income earned from work.
-
Special Note: If you (and/or your spouse, if applicable) requested a Verification of Non-filing (VONF) from the IRS or other relevant tax authorities but did not receive it, you may use this alternative process if ALL of the following are true:
— and —
- A copy of all 2021 W-2 forms.
- If self-employed, a signed statement certifying the amount of the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and U.S. income taxes paid for tax year 2021. Note: This information may be included in the certification statement described earlier, for those unable to obtain a copy of a Verification of Non-filing Letter.
— and —
-
Download and complete a 2023-24 Verification Worksheet. You will need to print your completed form and sign/date it prior to submitting it to the Financial Aid Office:
- 2023-24 Dependent Verification Worksheet — All dependent students are required to sign the worksheet along with at least one parent signature.
- 2023-24 Independent Verification Worksheet
If you filed a 2021 tax return with Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands you may submit a signed copy of the tax return which was filed with the relevant tax authority. However, if we must question the accuracy of the data on the signed copy of the income tax return, you will need to submit a copy of the tax account information issued by the relevant tax authority at a later date.
If you filed a 2021 tax return with the tax authority for American Samoa, you must submit a copy of your tax account information.
If you filed a 2021 tax return with a tax authority not mentioned above (i.e., a foreign tax authority) you must submit a copy of the tax account information issued by the relevant tax authority as long as you can obtain the information for free. However, if the tax authority charges a fee to obtain verification of your tax account information, you may submit the following instead: A signed copy of your non-U.S. tax return and documentation which shows the tax authority charges a fee to obtain information about your taxes. (NOTE: If your tax return is not in English, you will also need to provide an English translation of the information on the document).
— and —
-
Download and complete a 2023-24 Verification Worksheet. You will need to print your completed form and sign/date it prior to submitting it to the Financial Aid Office:
- 2023-24 Dependent Verification Worksheet— All dependent students are required to sign the worksheet along with at least one parent signature.
- 2023-24 Independent Verification Worksheet
Victims of identity theft who cannot use the Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to import their 2021 tax information or obtain a Tax Return Transcript for their 2021 federal taxes, must do the following:
- Call the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490 to request a copy of an alternate paper tax return transcript called TRDBV (Transcript DataBase View) for the 2021 tax year.
- Submit a signed & dated statement from the tax filer to our office indicating you were a victim of IRS tax-related identity theft, and that the IRS has been made aware of the tax-related identity theft.
- Submit a copy of the TRDBV (Transcript DataBase View) transcript or any other IRS tax transcript that includes all of your 2021 income and tax information, which you obtained directly from the IRS.
— and —
- Download and complete a 2023-24 Verification Worksheet. You will need to print your completed form and sign/date it prior to submitting it to the Financial Aid Office:
- 2023-24 Dependent Verification Worksheet — All dependent students are required to sign the worksheet along with at least one parent signature.
- 2023-24 Independent Verification Worksheet
[Document Submission]
To submit documents for verification, you can do so via fax, U.S. postal mail, or by uploading online it to one of our secured portals:
New Undergraduate Student Portal All Other Students - Financial Aid Portal
Tutorials
Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool
Did you forget your FSA password?
Did you forget your FSA ID?
Financial Aid is located in Fowler Student Center on the Undergraduate Campus.
MSC: 56
email fao@lclark.edu
voice 503-768-7090
fax 503-768-7074
Document Submission Portals:
New Undergraduate Students
All Other Students
Associate Vice President Anastacia Dillon
Financial Aid
Lewis & Clark
615 S. Palatine Hill Road MSC 56
Portland OR 97219