The FAFSA asks for very detailed information about your finances and your federal tax returns, which is why you should complete your taxes before applying for federal aid. Once you’ve completed your tax return, answering more complicated questions on your FAFSA is just a matter of transferring numbers from one worksheet to another.

Here’s a list of items you’ll encounter on your FAFSA, and where you can find them on your tax return:

The IRS provides three forms for your tax return. Click here to learn more!

If you’re a dependent and applying for financial aid, you’ll have to provide your parents’ or legal guardian’s financial information in addition to your own on the FAFSA. If you’re married and file your taxes jointly, you’ll have to include your spouse’s information alongside your own.

The FAFSA will also ask for information on your untaxed income. That includes earned income credit, any child support or welfare benefits you may receive, as well as income from municipal bonds, other tax-exempt investments, and your retirement contributions.