Updating FAFSA After Filing Taxes

The 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) asks for prior-prior year tax information. In most cases, people have already filed their 2023 taxes and can transfer their tax information directly into the FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. This process is fast, accurate, and reduces the paperwork you may need to submit.

If you submitted a 2025-2026 FAFSA before completing your 2023 tax return, here’s what you must do to update your information:

 

 

Student tax information

If you indicated on your FAFSA that you "will file" your 2023 IRS income tax return, you must follow these steps after completing your taxes:

1. Update your FAFSA with your final income and tax data in the Financial Information - Student section. If possible, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to reduce the likelihood of your application being selected for verification.
2. Change the answer to the FAFSA question asking if you have completed your income tax return to "already completed."

This will prompt a review—and possible revision—of your financial aid offer. You must complete these steps before any financial aid will be applied to your Bethel student account.

Parent tax information

If you indicated on your FAFSA that your parent(s) "will file" their 2023 IRS income tax return, you must follow these steps after they complete their taxes:

1. Update your FAFSA with their final income and tax data in the Financial Information - Parent section. If possible, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to reduce the likelihood of your application being selected for verification.
2. Change the answer to the FAFSA question asking if your parents have completed their income tax return to "already completed."

This will prompt a review—and possible revision—of your financial aid offer. You must complete these steps before any financial aid will be applied to your Bethel student account.