Where Can You Find Your AGI on a W-2?

Many taxpayers wonder where their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) appears on their W-2 Wage and Tax Statement. While both documents are fundamental to filing income taxes, they serve distinct purposes. Understanding the information each form provides is important for accurate tax preparation.

What Your W-2 Shows

An employer provides a W-2 Wage and Tax Statement to each employee by January 31st of the year following the tax year. This form summarizes total wages, tips, and other compensation paid, and details federal, state, and local income tax withheld. The W-2 serves as an official record of an individual’s gross earnings from a specific employer and payroll taxes remitted. AGI is not included on the W-2 because it reports only income and withholdings from a single employer. AGI is a broader figure calculated on the tax return, taking into account all income sources and specific deductions.

Understanding Adjusted Gross Income

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is a significant figure in federal income tax law, representing a taxpayer’s gross income reduced by specific deductions. These deductions are subtracted directly from gross income before calculating taxable income. Examples include contributions to a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA), student loan interest payments, and Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions. AGI functions as a foundational number for tax calculations, influencing eligibility for various tax credits and deductions. Many income limitations for tax benefits, such as the Child Tax Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit, are tied directly to an individual’s AGI.

Locating Your Adjusted Gross Income

Your Adjusted Gross Income is a calculated amount that appears on your federal income tax return, IRS Form 1040. For the 2023 tax year, it is reported on Line 11 of Form 1040. This amount is derived after accounting for all your income sources and applicable deductions.

If you need to find your AGI from a previous tax year, several reliable methods are available. The most direct way is to refer to a copy of your prior year’s tax return, as AGI is listed on Line 11 of the Form 1040 you filed. Many tax preparation software programs retain copies of filed returns, allowing you to access past documents.

Another option is the IRS “Get Transcript” service. You can visit the IRS website, navigate to the “Get Your Tax Record” section, and choose “Get Transcript Online” for immediate access. To use this service, verify your identity using personal information such as your Social Security number, date of birth, filing status, and details from a financial account like a credit card or mortgage. Once verified, select the “Return Transcript” for the desired tax year. If online access is not feasible, you can request a transcript by mail, which typically arrives within 5 to 10 days.