An AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) rejection from TurboTax can be a frustrating hurdle when you're trying to file your taxes. But don't worry, it's a very common issue, and one that's usually straightforward to fix. This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly what an AGI rejection is, why it happens, and how to resolve it step-by-step so you can get your tax return filed successfully.
Why Did My Tax Return Get Rejected for AGI? Understanding the Problem
First things first, don't panic! An AGI rejection means the Adjusted Gross Income you entered in your current year's tax return doesn't match what the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) has on file from your previous year's tax return. The IRS uses this prior year AGI as a security measure to verify your identity when you e-file. Think of it like a secret handshake – if the AGI doesn't match, they won't let your return pass.
Here are the most common reasons why your AGI might not match:
Typo or Data Entry Error: This is by far the most frequent culprit. Even a single digit off can cause a rejection.
Using the Wrong Year's AGI: You might have inadvertently used your AGI from two years ago instead of last year.
Amended Return Confusion: If you amended your previous year's tax return, you need to use the AGI from your original filed return, not the amended one.
Joint vs. Separate Filing Change: If you filed jointly last year and are filing separately this year (or vice-versa), you need to be careful about which AGI you're using.
IRS Processing Delays or Errors: In rare cases, the IRS might have an incorrect AGI on file, or your previous year's return might not have been fully processed.
Rounding Differences: While TurboTax usually handles this, sometimes slight rounding differences can cause a mismatch.
First-Time Filer: If you're filing your first federal tax return, your prior year AGI would be $0.
Let's dive into how to fix this!
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| How To Fix Agi Rejection Turbotax |
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fix an AGI Rejection in TurboTax
Ready to get this sorted? Let's begin!
QuickTip: Focus more on the ‘how’ than the ‘what’.
Step 1: Engage and Access Your TurboTax Return
Alright, so your tax return got rejected because of an AGI mismatch. It happens to the best of us! The good news is, TurboTax makes it relatively easy to fix. Your first step is to access your rejected return in TurboTax.
For TurboTax Online: Log in to your TurboTax account. You should see a notification on your Tax Home dashboard indicating your return was rejected. Click on the "Fix it" or "View Rejection Details" link.
For TurboTax Desktop Software: Open the TurboTax program and then open the specific tax file that was rejected. You'll likely see a message pop up immediately, or you can go to the "File" section to see the status.
Once you've located the rejected return, you're ready for the next crucial step: identifying the problematic AGI.
Step 2: Locate Your Correct Prior Year AGI
This is the most critical part of fixing an AGI rejection. You need to find the exact Adjusted Gross Income from your originally filed federal tax return for the previous tax year.
Sub-heading 2.1: Where to Find Your Prior Year AGI
Here are the primary places to look for your correct prior year AGI:
Tip: Remember, the small details add value.
Your Prior Year's Form 1040 (or 1040-SR/1040-NR):
For tax years 2020 through 2024, your AGI is typically found on Line 11 of your Form 1040.
For 2019, it was Line 8b.
For 2018, it was Line 7.
For years before 2018, it might be on different forms like 1040A (Line 21) or 1040EZ (Line 4).
Important: Make sure you are looking at the original return you filed, not any amended versions (Form 1040-X). If you only have a 1040-X, your original AGI is on Line 1, Column A.
Your TurboTax Account from Last Year:
If you used TurboTax last year, simply log in to your account.
Navigate to "Your tax returns & documents" or a similar section.
Select the prior tax year (e.g., 2023 for 2024 filing).
You should be able to download or view a PDF copy of your original tax return.
Look for Form 1040 and find the AGI on the correct line (Line 11 for recent years).
Some TurboTax interfaces also have a "View AGI" option directly.
IRS Get Transcript Online Tool:
If you can't find your previous year's tax return, the IRS offers a free "Get Transcript Online" tool.
Go to IRS.gov and search for "Get Transcript."
You'll need to verify your identity, which might involve providing a photo ID and taking a selfie.
Request a "Tax Return Transcript" for the relevant prior year.
Once you receive it, look for the line labeled "ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME". This is the exact number the IRS has on file.
Sub-heading 2.2: Special AGI Scenarios
First-Time Filer: If you did not file a federal tax return last year, your prior year AGI is $0 (zero).
Amended Return: Always use the AGI from your original tax return, not the amended one.
Married Filing Jointly Last Year: If you filed jointly, both spouses have the same AGI. Do not divide it.
Late Filer Last Year: If you filed your previous year's return very late (e.g., after mid-November), or if it was processed late by the IRS, sometimes entering $0 as your prior year AGI can work. This is a common workaround when the IRS hasn't fully updated their records. Only try this after verifying your actual AGI and it still rejects.
Step 3: Correcting the AGI in TurboTax
Once you have your verified, correct prior year AGI, it's time to re-enter it into TurboTax.
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Follow the "Fix It" or Rejection Instructions: When your return is rejected, TurboTax will usually guide you directly to the screen where you need to update your AGI. Look for prompts like:
"Enter last year's AGI here"
"Prior Year AGI or PIN"
Or similar wording on a verification screen.
Navigate Manually (If Needed): If TurboTax doesn't automatically take you there, here's a general path for TurboTax Online:
Go to the "File" tab or section (usually on the left-hand navigation).
Proceed through the filing steps until you reach the screen asking for your prior year's AGI or PIN.
Carefully enter the exact AGI you found in Step 2. Double-check for typos!
If you also use a Self-Select PIN, ensure that matches your previous year's information if applicable.
Sub-heading 3.1: Important Considerations During Correction
Exact Match is Key: The IRS system is very sensitive. Even a misplaced decimal or a rounded number can cause a rejection. Enter it exactly as it appears on your prior year's return or IRS transcript.
Spousal AGI: If you're filing jointly this year and filed jointly last year, both you and your spouse will use the same AGI amount. There isn't a separate AGI for each spouse in this scenario.
No Rounding (unless explicitly noted): Generally, enter the AGI as a whole dollar amount, without cents. TurboTax usually prompts for this. If your prior year's AGI had cents, you should typically round to the nearest dollar (round up if 50 cents or more, round down if 49 cents or less). However, the safest bet is to enter it exactly as it appears on the official document.
Step 4: Re-transmit Your Return
Tip: Note one practical point from this post.
After you've corrected the AGI, the final step is to re-transmit your federal (and potentially state) tax return.
Follow TurboTax Prompts: TurboTax will guide you through the re-transmission process.
No Additional Charge: Rest assured, TurboTax does not charge you to re-file a rejected return.
Check Status Again: After re-transmitting, monitor your e-file status in your TurboTax account. You'll receive an update once the IRS has either accepted or rejected it again. Ideally, this time it will be accepted!
Step 5: What If It Still Gets Rejected (and When to Mail)?
In some rare instances, even after following all these steps, your return might still be rejected for AGI. This usually points to a data mismatch at the government's end or a unique situation.
Try Entering $0 AGI (as a last resort for e-filing): As mentioned earlier, if you've verified your AGI multiple times and it's still rejecting, try entering "0" (zero) as your prior year AGI. This sometimes works, especially if your prior year's return was filed very late or there's an unusual processing delay with the IRS.
Contact TurboTax Support: If the "0" AGI trick doesn't work, or you're simply unsure, it's a good idea to contact TurboTax customer support. They may have insights specific to your account or recent IRS updates.
Print and Mail Your Return: If all e-file attempts fail due to an AGI mismatch, your final option is to print and mail your tax return to the IRS.
TurboTax will provide instructions on how to do this.
Make sure to sign and date the return.
Include any required forms or schedules.
Keep a copy for your records.
Mailing takes longer for processing and receiving any refund.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - How to Fix AGI Rejection TurboTax
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to AGI rejections with quick answers:
1. How to find my AGI from last year if I used TurboTax?
Log in to your TurboTax account from the prior year, go to "Your tax returns & documents," and download or view your Form 1040 (Line 11 for recent years).
2. How to find my AGI if I don't have my prior year's tax return?
QuickTip: Skip distractions — focus on the words.
Use the IRS "Get Transcript Online" tool on IRS.gov to request a Tax Return Transcript. Look for "ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME."
3. How to fix a typo in my AGI on TurboTax after rejection?
Log back into TurboTax, find the rejected return, and follow the prompts to navigate to the AGI entry screen. Carefully re-enter the correct AGI and re-transmit.
4. How to deal with an AGI rejection if I amended my return last year?
Always use the AGI from your original tax return (Form 1040, Line 11 for recent years), not the AGI from your amended return (Form 1040-X).
5. How to handle AGI for first-time filers in TurboTax?
If you did not file a federal tax return last year, enter $0 (zero) as your prior year AGI.
6. How to know if my AGI rejection is due to an IRS error?
If you've verified your AGI multiple times, used the IRS Get Transcript tool, and it still rejects, it could be an IRS processing issue. In such cases, trying "0" or mailing your return are common solutions.
7. How to contact TurboTax customer support for AGI rejection help?
Go to the TurboTax support website (
ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support
8. How to print and mail my TurboTax return if e-filing keeps failing due to AGI?
Within TurboTax, navigate to the "File" section. If e-filing isn't working, TurboTax will offer the option to "Print & Mail" your return and provide instructions.
9. How to ensure I enter the AGI correctly (rounding, cents)?
Enter the AGI as a whole dollar amount, without cents. If your prior year's AGI had cents, round to the nearest dollar (e.g., $50,000.50 becomes $50,001; $50,000.49 becomes $50,000). However, the safest is to enter it exactly as it appears on your IRS transcript.
10. How to check the status of my re-transmitted TurboTax return?
Log in to your TurboTax account and check your "Tax Home" or "E-file Status" section. It will update once the IRS processes your re-transmitted return. You can also use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool after it's accepted.
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