Where Is the AGI on Your Tax Return?

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is a foundational figure in tax calculations, representing your total income after certain allowed deductions have been subtracted. This specific amount serves as a starting point for determining your overall tax liability. It is an intermediate step in the income tax computation process, reflecting a more refined income figure than your gross income. Understanding AGI is important because it directly influences many aspects of your tax return and financial planning.

Locating Your Adjusted Gross Income

To find your Adjusted Gross Income, you will need to locate your IRS Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, for the relevant tax year. For tax years 2020 through 2024, your AGI is consistently reported on Line 11 of Form 1040. This applies to the standard Form 1040, as well as forms 1040-SR and 1040-NR.

Once you have your Form 1040 in hand, look for the section titled “Adjusted Gross Income” on the first page. Line 11 is specifically labeled “Adjusted Gross Income”. The amount entered on this line represents your AGI for that tax year.

For those reviewing prior year returns, it is worth noting that the line number for AGI has varied on older forms. For instance, AGI was on Line 8b for the 2019 tax year and Line 7 for the 2018 tax year. Before 2018, when Form 1040A and 1040EZ were in use, AGI appeared on Line 21 of Form 1040A and Line 4 of Form 1040EZ. If you are electronically filing your current year’s tax return, the IRS often requires your prior year’s AGI to verify your identity. If you do not have a copy of your previous return, you can often access it through the tax software you used, or request a tax transcript directly from the IRS through their online account or by mail.

The Significance of Adjusted Gross Income

Adjusted Gross Income is a benchmark figure that determines eligibility for numerous tax deductions, credits, and other tax benefits. Many income-based limitations for various tax provisions are directly tied to your AGI. For example, the amount of medical expense deductions you can claim is limited to the amount exceeding 7.5% of your AGI.

AGI also influences the phase-out thresholds for several tax credits, such as the Child Tax Credit or education credits. As AGI increases beyond certain levels, the amount of these valuable credits may begin to decrease or be eliminated entirely.

Beyond tax calculations, AGI can affect eligibility for certain government programs and services. For instance, it plays a role in determining eligibility for premium tax credits for health insurance purchased through the Marketplace or in calculating Medicare premiums. Your AGI, or a modified version of it, can therefore have broad implications for your financial landscape.