FAFSA 2024–25 uses your 2023 tax return

The FAFSA for the 2024–25 school year asks for income and tax information from the year 2023. That means your 2023 federal tax return — the one you filed (or should have filed) by April 15, 2024 — is what you report on this FAFSA.

This is called the prior-year tax rule. The government uses last year's taxes instead of this year's because tax returns take time to file and verify. By the time you are filling out FAFSA in October 2023 or January 2024, your 2023 taxes are already done and on file with the IRS.

If you have not filed your 2023 taxes yet, you can still submit your FAFSA using estimates. You will need to update your FAFSA later with actual numbers once your return is processed, but submitting early with estimates does not hurt your chances.

Key Takeaways

  • FAFSA 2024–25 requires your 2023 tax year information, not 2024 income.
  • You can file FAFSA before your taxes are done by using estimated numbers from your 2023 return.
  • If you did not file taxes in 2023, you still report zero income on FAFSA — do not skip the form.
  • The IRS Data Retrieval Tool lets you pull your actual 2023 tax data directly into FAFSA if you filed electronically.

How to find your 2023 tax information

Your 2023 federal tax return is your main source. If you filed electronically, you can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool within the FAFSA form itself — it pulls your actual numbers directly from the IRS, which is the fastest and most accurate method. You will need your FSA ID (your FAFSA login) and your IRS username and password.

If you filed a paper return or cannot access the Data Retrieval Tool, use a copy of your 2023 Form 1040 and any schedules you filed with it. Look for your adjusted gross income (AGI), total income, and income tax paid. These numbers are on the first page of your return.

If you have not yet received a copy of your 2023 return, you can request one from the IRS by phone at 1-800-829-1040 or through your tax preparer. The IRS typically sends copies within 5 to 10 business days.

What happens if you did not file taxes in 2023

If you had no income in 2023 or were not required to file, you still complete the FAFSA income section — you just report zero. Do not skip FAFSA because you did not file taxes. Many students with no income still receive federal aid, and some states require FAFSA completion for their own aid programs.

If you had income but did not file, you have two options: file your 2023 return now (even though it is late), or report your best estimate of what your income was. If you choose to estimate, you will need to file your actual return and update FAFSA once it is processed.

When to update FAFSA if your tax information changes

If you submitted FAFSA with estimated numbers and your actual 2023 tax return was later processed, you should update your FAFSA with the real figures. Log back into your FAFSA account, make the corrections, and resubmit. Schools use the most recent version you submit, so updating does not delay your aid.

You have until June 30, 2025, to make corrections to your 2024–25 FAFSA. After that date, most schools will not process updates for that school year. If you discover an error after June 30, contact your school's financial aid office directly — they may be able to adjust your aid package based on the corrected information.

Why prior-year taxes matter for your aid amount

The income you report on FAFSA directly affects how much aid you receive. Schools use your income to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which determines your need for aid. Lower income typically means more aid may be able to access, so reporting accurate 2023 income is important.

If your financial situation changed significantly between 2023 and now — you lost a job, had a major medical expense, or experienced another hardship — you can ask your school's financial aid office for a professional judgment review. They can adjust your aid based on your current circumstances, even though FAFSA itself still uses 2023 numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my 2024 tax information on FAFSA 2024–25?

No. FAFSA 2024–25 requires 2023 tax year information only. If you want to report 2024 income because your situation changed dramatically, contact your school's financial aid office about a professional judgment review. They may adjust your aid based on current circumstances.

What if I have not filed my 2023 taxes by the FAFSA deadline?

You can submit FAFSA with estimates from your 2023 income records. Once your actual return is filed and processed, update your FAFSA with the real numbers. Submitting early with estimates does not delay your aid — schools process your application as soon as you submit.

Do I need to attach my tax return to FAFSA?

No. FAFSA does not ask you to upload or mail your return. If you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, the IRS sends your information directly to FAFSA. If you enter numbers manually, keep your return for your records in case your school asks to verify the information later.

What if my parents' income changed since 2023?

FAFSA still uses 2023 income. If your parents' income dropped significantly in 2024 — due to job loss or other hardship — ask your school's financial aid office about a professional judgment review. They can sometimes adjust your aid based on current income, even though FAFSA itself uses prior-year numbers.