How to Find Your 2020 Adjusted Gross Income

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is a foundational figure on your federal income tax return, representing your gross income less specific deductions. It serves as a starting point for calculating your taxable income and determining eligibility for various tax credits and deductions. You may need your 2020 AGI for several current financial processes, such as completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), applying for loans, or verifying your identity when using tax software for more recent tax filings.

Finding AGI on Your 2020 Tax Return

If you have a copy of your 2020 federal income tax return, locating your Adjusted Gross Income is straightforward. Refer to Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, the standard form for most individual taxpayers. On the 2020 Form 1040, your AGI is on Line 11. This line follows sections detailing your total income and any adjustments.

Line 11 on the 2020 Form 1040 is labeled “Adjusted Gross Income” and is the result of subtracting total adjustments from your total income. If you used tax preparation software or a professional tax preparer, your AGI will be displayed on summary pages or within the finalized electronic or printed return documents provided to you. The software or preparer’s output typically highlights this figure for easy identification.

Obtaining Your 2020 AGI from the IRS

If you do not have a personal copy of your 2020 tax return, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers several secure methods to obtain your Adjusted Gross Income. The most efficient way is through the IRS Get Transcript service on IRS.gov. This online tool allows you to access various tax transcripts, including the Tax Return Transcript, which details your AGI.

To use the Get Transcript Online service, you must first verify your identity. This typically involves providing personal information such as your Social Security Number, date of birth, filing status, and mailing address from your most recent tax return. You will also need a valid email address, a text-enabled mobile phone in your name, and certain financial account numbers, such as a credit card or a loan account, for security purposes. Upon successful verification, you can access your 2020 Tax Return Transcript.

Alternatively, you can request a transcript by mail or through an automated phone service by calling 800-908-9946. When requesting by mail, use Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, available on IRS.gov. This form requires you to specify the tax year and the type of transcript needed. Transcripts requested by mail or phone typically arrive within 5 to 10 business days. The IRS also provides an online account service where you can view data from your most recently filed tax return after creating and verifying an ID.me account.

What to Do If You Did Not File in 2020

If you did not file a federal tax return for the 2020 tax year, your Adjusted Gross Income for that year is considered $0 (zero). This typically occurs when an individual’s gross income falls below the IRS filing threshold for their specific filing status and age. For instance, in 2020, a single individual under 65 generally was not required to file if their gross income was below $12,400. However, certain situations, like having net earnings from self-employment of $400 or more, would still necessitate filing a return, regardless of overall income.

When asked to provide your 2020 AGI on forms such as the FAFSA or tax software for subsequent years, enter “0” or indicate “Did not file” as appropriate for the specific form’s instructions. Some financial aid applications, like the FAFSA, are designed to accommodate this situation. Accurately reflecting your non-filing status is important, as misrepresenting your AGI could lead to complications or delays.