Can I File Taxes Without My AGI From Last Year?

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is a foundational figure in tax calculations, representing your total gross income minus specific deductions. This amount serves as a starting point for determining your taxable income and eligibility for various tax credits and deductions. When you file your taxes electronically, providing your prior year’s AGI is a primary method the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses to verify your identity.

Understanding the AGI Requirement for Filing

The IRS requires the prior year’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) primarily as a security measure for electronic tax filings. This requirement helps confirm the identity of the person submitting the tax return. Without a matching AGI, the IRS cannot authenticate the e-filed submission, leading to rejection.

For individuals filing taxes for the first time, or those who did not file a return in the previous year, the requirement for a prior year AGI is satisfied by entering ‘0’ or indicating “Does Not Apply” in the relevant section of their tax software. Returning filers must provide the correct AGI from their most recently processed tax return. Any discrepancy between the AGI entered and the amount on file with the IRS will result in the electronic return being rejected.

Strategies for Retrieving Your Prior Year AGI

Several reliable methods exist for retrieving your prior year’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).

Access your IRS Online Account, which provides a secure portal to view your tax information, including your AGI. This online service offers immediate access to your tax records.
Use the IRS “Get Transcript” service to obtain a tax return transcript. This transcript includes your AGI and can be accessed online for immediate download or requested by mail, typically arriving within 5 to 10 business days.
Refer to your personal copy of last year’s tax return, specifically Form 1040.
Check your saved files from the previous year if you used tax preparation software.
Contact your tax professional directly if they prepared your last return.

How to File When You Don’t Have Your Prior Year AGI

When your prior year’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is not immediately available for electronic filing, specific actions can help you proceed with your tax return. Some tax software programs and e-filing methods offer the option to use a Self-Select PIN instead of the prior year AGI for identity verification. This five-digit PIN, chosen by the taxpayer, can serve as an electronic signature, bypassing the AGI requirement if successfully authenticated. However, if you are unable to obtain your correct prior year AGI or your e-file continuously rejects, paper filing your tax return remains a viable and reliable alternative. Paper returns do not require the prior year AGI for identity verification in the same manner as electronic submissions, as your physical signature serves this purpose.

What to Do After a Rejection Due to AGI

If your e-filed tax return is rejected due to an incorrect or missing prior year Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), review the rejection message. It will indicate that the AGI entered does not match IRS records. Retrieve the accurate AGI using one of the methods discussed previously, such as checking your prior return, contacting your tax preparer, or using IRS online tools.

Once you have the correct AGI, re-enter it into your tax preparation software and resubmit your return electronically. Many software programs guide you through this correction process. If, after multiple attempts, you continue to face rejections due to AGI discrepancies, or if you are unable to obtain the correct amount, paper filing your tax return is a definitive solution. This ensures your return is submitted and processed, even without the electronic AGI verification.