Do you remember that feeling of accomplishment after you've diligently gathered all your tax documents, input them into TurboTax, and clicked "File"? Ah, sweet relief! But then, a question pops up: "What was my Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) again?" Or perhaps you're starting a new tax year and need your prior year's AGI for verification purposes. Don't fret! Finding your AGI on TurboTax is simpler than you might think, whether you're looking for the current year's calculation or a previous year's figure.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how to find your Adjusted Gross Income on TurboTax, step-by-step, with helpful tips and common scenarios. Let's dive in!
Understanding Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
Before we get into the "how-to," let's quickly demystify AGI. Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is a crucial figure on your tax return. It's essentially your gross income (all your taxable earnings, like wages, salaries, tips, interest, dividends, capital gains, business income, etc.) minus certain specific deductions, often called "above-the-line" deductions.
Why is AGI so important?
It's the starting point for calculating your taxable income.
It often determines your eligibility for many valuable tax credits and deductions. A lower AGI can sometimes unlock more tax benefits!
The IRS uses your prior year's AGI to verify your identity when you e-file your current year's return.
Common "above-the-line" deductions that reduce your gross income to arrive at AGI include:
Educator expenses
Student loan interest deduction
Health Savings Account (HSA) deductions
Traditional IRA contributions
One-half of self-employment taxes
Self-employed health insurance deductions
Alimony paid (for agreements prior to 2019)
Now that you know why it matters, let's find it!
Step 1: Accessing Your TurboTax Account and Returns
Ready to find that AGI? Let's start by getting into your TurboTax hub.
Sub-heading: Logging In to TurboTax Online
Open your web browser: Go to the official TurboTax website (turbotax.intuit.com).
Sign in: Click on the "Sign In" button, usually located in the top right corner.
Enter your credentials: Input your User ID and Password. If you've forgotten them, use the "Forgot User ID" or "Forgot Password" links to recover access. It's vital to use the same account you used to file your taxes for the year you're trying to find the AGI for.
Sub-heading: If You Used TurboTax Desktop Software
If you used the downloadable desktop version of TurboTax (CD/Download), you'll access your returns directly from your computer:
Open the TurboTax program: Launch the TurboTax software on your computer.
Open your return: Navigate to "File" > "Open Tax Return" and select the tax file (.tax20XX) for the year you need.
Step 2: Navigating to Your Tax Returns and Documents
Once you're logged in (or have your desktop program open), the path to your AGI is quite straightforward.
Sub-heading: For TurboTax Online Users (Current and Prior Years)
Go to "Tax Home": After signing in, you'll usually land on your "Tax Home" page. If not, look for "Tax Home" in the left-hand navigation menu.
Scroll to "Your tax returns & documents": On the "Tax Home" page, scroll down until you find a section titled "Your tax returns & documents" or similar.
Select the relevant tax year: Click on the specific tax year for which you want to find the AGI. For example, if you need your 2023 AGI, select "2023."
Choose "Download/print return (PDF)": Under the selected year, you'll see an option like "Download/print return (PDF)" or "View adjusted gross income (AGI)." If you see the latter, simply click it and your AGI will be displayed!
Open the PDF: If you chose to download/print the PDF, open the downloaded file. This PDF is a copy of your filed tax return.
Sub-heading: For TurboTax Desktop Users
Once the return is open: With your tax file open in the TurboTax desktop software, you should be able to view the forms directly.
Navigate to Form 1040: Look for the "Forms" menu or tab, and select "Form 1040."
Step 3: Locating Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) on Form 1040
This is the final, crucial step to pinpointing your AGI!
Sub-heading: Finding AGI on Form 1040 (2020 Tax Year Onwards)
For tax years 2020 through the current filing year (e.g., 2024 tax year, filed in 2025), your AGI is consistently found on Line 11 of your Form 1040.
Look for Line 11: On the first page of your Form 1040, scan down the left side until you see "Line 11."
The amount next to Line 11: The number displayed next to "Line 11" is your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for that tax year. Circle it, highlight it, remember it – this is the number you're looking for!
Sub-heading: A Note on Prior Year Forms (Before 2020)
While Line 11 is the standard for recent years, it's good to be aware that the AGI line number has shifted on Form 1040 in previous years:
2019 Tax Year: AGI was on Line 8b of Form 1040.
2018 Tax Year: AGI was on Line 7 of Form 1040.
Tax Years Before 2018 (Form 1040A or 1040EZ): If you filed a simpler form, your AGI might have been on different lines, such as Line 21 on Form 1040A or Line 4 on Form 1040EZ.
If you're looking for a return from these older years, remember to check the specific form you filed and its corresponding AGI line.
Step 4: What if You Can't Access Your TurboTax Account or Prior Return?
Sometimes, things don't go as planned. Maybe you can't remember your TurboTax login, or you used a different service last year. Don't worry, you still have options!
Sub-heading: Requesting an IRS Tax Transcript
This is a highly reliable method to get your AGI if you can't access your TurboTax return.
Visit IRS.gov: Go to www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript.
Choose your method:
Get Transcript Online: This is the quickest way if you can verify your identity. You'll need to create an ID.me account if you don't have one already. You can view, print, or download your transcript immediately.
Get Transcript by Mail: If you can't get online, you can request a transcript be mailed to you. It usually takes 5 to 10 business days to arrive. You can also call 800-908-9946 to request a mail transcript.
Select "Return Transcript": Once you're in the transcript service, request a "Return Transcript" for the relevant tax year. This transcript summarizes your filed return information, including your AGI.
Locate "ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME": On the transcript, you'll find a clear line item labeled "ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME." This is your AGI.
Sub-heading: Contacting Your Tax Preparer (If Applicable)
If you used a professional tax preparer (CPA, Enrolled Agent, etc.) last year, they can easily provide you with a copy of your filed return, which will include your AGI.
Sub-heading: Entering $0 for Prior Year AGI (First-Time Filers / Specific Scenarios)
If you are a first-time filer over the age of 16, or if you've tried all other methods and cannot retrieve your prior year AGI for e-filing verification, you may be able to enter $0 (zero dollars) as your prior year AGI. The IRS often accepts this for new filers. If this doesn't work and your e-file is rejected, you will need to print and mail your tax return to the IRS.
Conclusion: Your AGI - A Powerful Number
Knowing how to find your Adjusted Gross Income on TurboTax, or through alternative methods like an IRS transcript, is a valuable skill for any taxpayer. Your AGI isn't just a number; it's a key factor that influences your tax liability, your eligibility for credits and deductions, and even your ability to e-file. By following these steps, you can confidently locate this important figure whenever you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to calculate AGI manually?
To manually calculate AGI, start with your total gross income (wages, interest, dividends, capital gains, business income, etc.). Then, subtract any "above-the-line" deductions, such as traditional IRA contributions, student loan interest, or educator expenses. The resulting figure is your AGI.
How to find AGI on my current year's TurboTax return (in progress)?
As you are working on your current year's return in TurboTax, the software calculates your AGI automatically as you input your income and deductions. You typically won't see it explicitly displayed until you're closer to finalizing your return. Once you reach the review stage or can preview your Form 1040, look for Line 11.
How to find my AGI if I used a different tax software last year?
If you used different tax software, log in to that software's account and look for an option to download or view your prior year's tax return (usually a PDF of Form 1040). Once you have the PDF, find Line 11 (or the relevant line for older years). If you can't access that software, request an IRS Tax Transcript as described in Step 4.
How to find my AGI on my TurboTax mobile app?
The TurboTax mobile app usually allows you to access prior year returns. Navigate to your "Tax Home" or "My Returns," select the relevant year, and look for an option to view or download the PDF of your return. Once you have the PDF, locate Line 11 on Form 1040.
How to find my AGI if I mailed my tax return last year?
If you mailed your return, you should have kept a copy for your records. Check your personal tax files for the printed copy of your Form 1040. Your AGI will be on Line 11 (or the appropriate line for older tax years). If you don't have a copy, you'll need to request an IRS Tax Transcript.
How to get an IRS Tax Transcript to find my AGI?
Visit IRS.gov and search for "Get Transcript." You can choose to get it online (requires identity verification with ID.me) for immediate access, or by mail (takes 5-10 business days). Request a "Return Transcript" for the desired tax year.
How to correct my AGI in TurboTax if I entered it wrong for e-filing?
If your e-filed return is rejected because of an incorrect prior year AGI, TurboTax will prompt you to correct it. Go back into your return, typically to the "File" section, and there will be an option to enter or re-enter your prior year AGI. Double-check the number from your actual prior year return or IRS transcript before resubmitting.
How to use my AGI for identity verification when e-filing?
When you e-file your current year's tax return, the IRS requires your prior year's AGI to confirm your identity. TurboTax will typically ask for this number as part of the e-filing process. Simply enter the AGI from Line 11 of your previous year's Form 1040.
How to differentiate between AGI and Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)?
AGI is your gross income minus certain "above-the-line" deductions. MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) is your AGI with specific deductions and exclusions added back for the purpose of determining eligibility for certain tax benefits, like Roth IRA contributions or specific credits. MAGI is calculated differently depending on the benefit. TurboTax calculates both for you if needed.
How to find AGI if I'm a first-time filer?
If you are filing your federal tax return for the very first time and are over 16 years old, you can typically enter $0 (zero) as your prior year AGI when prompted during the e-filing process.
