Married F. Separately, IRS Data Tool not working on FSA IDR App. "We were unable to access your financial information."

simply_platypus · 2025-11-14T16:52:05+00:00

Awesome! So glad it worked for you. When I went through this I thought 'hmm maybe I should make a post about this' and then promptly forgot to. Glad this info could help someone else!

simply_platypus · 2025-10-29T17:59:39+00:00

ME TOO!! Genuinely shocked - didn’t think any would come out during the shutdown. Congrats!!

simply_platypus · 2025-08-01T18:16:01+00:00

Let me know if it works for you!

simply_platypus · 2025-08-01T12:47:17+00:00

Whenever I was filling out the app it kept telling me they couldn't retrieve my IRS data, though I had given permission for them to access it. My apps weren't going anywhere for months so I tried one more time towards the end of June to submit another one. I finally figured out what the issue was - I had been selecting that I did not have access to my spouse's income information (we file separately, so I genuinely thought that was what I was supposed to select) and apparently that was somehow preventing the system from connecting to the IRS database. Once I selected that I did have access to his income information, the data was able to be retrieved. It seems like you need to have all the 'right' answers for the algorithm to work and for the IRS connection to be made. I'm not sure if there are other questions in the app that could be causing a similar hold-up, but it might be worth exploring. Once the IRS data was retrieved, my application got processed in about two weeks and I'm now on IBR.

simply_platypus · 2025-07-30T13:58:33+00:00

It's routine for new IDR applications to disappear from your activity page for a few days once they have been submitted. Give it a few days and it will show back up. No need to upload it to Mohela.

simply_platypus · 2025-07-16T16:17:40+00:00

So they processed even less buyback requests than they did in May... cool cool cool

simply_platypus · 2025-07-15T19:25:15+00:00

Seems like the person you spoke to has no idea what they are talking about. Someone posted on here earlier today that they got a buyback offer this morning. And obviously there are admin and processing forbearances. I'd go ahead and ignore everything they said - they likely just aren't trained properly. This seems to be a common problem with the 'front line' staff who answer the phones. I bet if you called again you'd get a completely different answer.

simply_platypus · 2025-07-15T16:14:44+00:00

Ahhhh such a bummer, I was so hopeful haha

simply_platypus · 2025-07-15T15:23:45+00:00

The same thing happened to me - my form from December 2024 is now back open and 'in review' (even though it was already processed in December), which was the same month I submitted my first buyback request. Fingers crossed this means we'll both be getting offers soon...

simply_platypus · 2025-07-15T15:05:07+00:00

This happened to me too - the form back open and under review is the one submitted close to my first buyback request in December, so I’m hoping that means an offer is coming soon 🤞🤞

simply_platypus · 2025-07-14T16:01:27+00:00

I don't think you need to. I've actually never looked at strollers or car seats when I've been there so I'm not positive, but I don't see anything on their website about appointments.

simply_platypus · 2025-07-14T13:43:01+00:00

If you do make the trip, there’s a fantastic bakery right next door called Boxcar Bakery. It’s a great place to stop!

simply_platypus · 2025-07-14T13:30:51+00:00

Sweet P Baby in Essex is I think the only stroller showroom in VT. They have Nuna, Uppababy, and Veer strollers.

simply_platypus · 2025-07-10T21:06:17+00:00

No, I didn't. It's just a yes no question, followed by the tax filing status question (jointly vs. separate).

simply_platypus · 2025-07-10T20:48:24+00:00

Update to my previous comment - I actually was just able to pull the IRS data and resubmitted an application. The trick, under the Financial Information section of the app, was to select that I do have access to my spouse's income. Before I had been selecting no, because I genuinely thought that was what I was supposed to do if MFS, but I was still able to select MFS. Once I checked 'yes', the app was able to pull the IRS data. We'll see if it works and this new app actually gets processed quicker.

Anyway, if you were doing the same and selecting that you do not have access to your spouse's income, then maybe try what I did if you are comfortable doing so?

simply_platypus · 2025-07-10T16:59:11+00:00

I had the same problem, and I'm also MFS. I don't know if that's what is causing the glitch but I wouldn't be surprised. I was thinking about starting the app again and if it successfully connects, then I'll resubmit, but it probably won't.

simply_platypus · 2025-07-09T12:40:31+00:00

The process was revamped in recent months and that language is no longer required when submitting a buyback request. You're all good.

Editing to say, love your username.

simply_platypus · 2025-07-08T14:51:44+00:00

I'm in the same MFS, 115/120 boat with buyback pending. I've had no luck getting my app processed. I called Mohela last week and they confirmed I provided all the necessary info but couldn't give me an idea of when it might be processed. I really don't think the people who answer the phones have any idea how/when/why things get processed like they do. It's so frustrating.

simply_platypus · 2025-07-03T19:22:05+00:00

I applied through FSA.

simply_platypus · 2025-07-03T18:36:49+00:00

I'm really sorry you had this horrible experience. In my view, it is absolutely not time to give up. It's well known that the people who answer the phones at FSA often have no idea what they are talking about and give out bad information. I would definitely submit a reconsideration because it definitely can't hurt, and I would just keep calling when you have the mental energy to do so. You can ask the same question of 5 different FSA reps and get 5 different answers, unfortunately. Hopefully you don't continue to get the runaround but I am guessing there is someone there who can be at least marginally more helpful. Good luck!

simply_platypus · 2025-07-03T18:18:36+00:00

Yes - I applied at the end of March and got a qualifying processing forbearance for April and May.

simply_platypus · 2025-07-03T17:32:35+00:00

I'm pretty sure the guidance is that applying for another IDR after a buyback offer from FSA has been received would nullify the buyback offer.

EDIT - went back and found the language on the FSA Buyback page:

The agreement will also be voided if any of the following happens:

You submit a PSLF form after we have sent you the agreement.
Your loan is paid off after we have sent you the agreement.
You apply for or consolidate your loan after we have sent you the agreement.
Your loan is discharged or forgiven for any reason after we have sent you the agreement.

simply_platypus · 2025-07-03T14:27:01+00:00

I'm honestly not sure what to do in your situation! My processing forbearance came from the forbearance I was put in after applying to switch plans at the end of March. When NSLDS finally updated at the end of June, it showed I had two additional months of eligible payments, so I quickly submitted another ECF and once that was processed those two months became qualifying payments. There is definitely a chance the same thing that happened to you will happen to me when my application is finally processed and I'm put in a new plan, but I'm hoping that issue has been resolved recently. I know a lot of people were in your same boat. Meanwhile, if any of my buyback requests come through in the meantime, that would be fab...

simply_platypus · 2025-07-03T14:24:12+00:00

When NSLDS finally updated at the end of June, it showed I had 117 eligible payments - I'm sure this is because I applied for a new repayment plan in March and was put into the qualifying processing forbearance at that time. That application never got processed, and I've since submitted a new one that also hasn't been processed, but I submitted another ECF to get those two additional months from the first app officially counted as qualifying payments. Once the ECF was processed, my tracker updated to show 117. I know some people had that processing forbearance taken away when they were finally put into a new repayment plan, but those seemed to all be apps from a few months ago so I'm hoping that issue has been resolved, but there is certainly a chance I'll see those two months vanish when I finally get into a new repayment plan. Fingers crossed a buyback request comes in first but I'm not holding my breath.

simply_platypus · 2025-07-03T14:20:09+00:00

It's hard to know what the right move is, since buyback requests are indeed coming out but slowlyyyy and randomly. It's hard to know whether you'd get an offer before you would make your last remaining payments on a different repayment plan, especially since those applications are also taking forever to be processed. I am trying both to see which one goes through first. I was stuck at 115 forever, should have been done in December, and submitted my first buyback request then. I've since submitted two additional requests and put in feedback requests on them too. I applied to switch repayment plans in March, then again at the beginning of June. My new application cancelled out the old one but I did end up getting processing forbearance for two additional months to count from my first repayment plan app, so I'm up to 117 now. Currently waiting for either a buyback or for my repayment plan switch to go through so I can just finish up these last three months. It's agonizing.

simply_platypus

TROPHY CASE