How To Answer Parent's Spouse Or Partner Information Questions For FAFSA®
If you're a parent who files married filing separately, or if you're living together unmarried, you'll have to provide information about your spouse.
Important Note: If the parent files taxes separately, or the parents are living together unmarried, the spouse or partner needs to be a contributor to the student's FAFSA.
The student should invite the parent's spouse or partner to the FAFSA using their email address.
42 and 43. Parent's Spouse Or Partner Identity Information
If you are a married parent who files taxes separately, or if you're unmarried but living together, you must provide your spouse or partner's information. This information is used to calculate how much financial aid the student is eligible for.
How To Answer These Questions
You simply enter their name exactly as it appears on their Social Security card. Ensure that you also enter their Social Security number and data of birth, along with their email and mailing address.
Can I Skip These Questions?
No, they are required.
44 and 45. Parent's Spouse Or Partner Tax Information
The FAFSA requires the parent's spouse's or partner's tax information when calculating financial aid eligibility.
How To Answer These Questions
It's important to remember that your FAFSA cannot be processed if the spouse or partner does not provide consent to use their tax information from the IRS. This consent can be provided online, or by marking the box in Question 46 on the paper form.
Provide Consent To Transfer Data From The IRS Using The IRS Data Retrieval Tool
To be eligible for financial aid, you have to allow the FAFSA to automatically import your tax return information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
Providing consent also means you don't have to answer any of the remaining questions relating to your tax return - it's all imported automatically.
When doing the online application, simply check "Approve" to consent to the transfer.
If doing the paper application, make sure you check the box on Question 24.
We will break down all the paper questions below so you understand what information the FAFSA is using and why.
Can I Skip These Questions?
Yes, as long as you provided consent for the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to import your data.
2026-27 FAFSA Questions Step-By-Step
Find answers to the other FAFSA questions here:
Student Spouse Information
Parent Information
Parent Financial Information
Parent Spouse Information
FAFSA® is a registered service mark of U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid.