How to Fix AGI Rejection in TurboTax

Nothing stalls the satisfaction of filing your taxes quite like an email from TurboTax that reads: "Rejected." When the reason is an incorrect Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), it can be particularly frustrating. You know you entered everything right, so why doesn't the IRS computer agree? This is a common and fixable e-filing hurdle. This guide will walk you through exactly why this rejection happens, how to locate your correct AGI, and the steps to refile your return successfully.

Why the IRS Rejects Returns Based on AGI

First, it's important to understand that an AGI rejection is not an audit or a sign that you did your taxes wrong. It's a security measure. When you e-file your tax return, the IRS needs to verify your identity. Since you aren’t signing a physical form, the IRS uses your prior-year AGI as a digital signature. You are, in effect, proving you are you by providing a key piece of information from a return they have already processed and approved.

The system is simple: the AGI you enter for your 2023 return must identically match the AGI from their records for your accepted 2022 tax return. If there’s even a one-dollar difference, their automated system flags it as a potential identity theft attempt and rejects the submission. The challenge, then, isn't about recalculating your taxes; it's about playing a matching game with the IRS database.

Step-by-Step: How to Find Your Correct 2022 AGI

Your correct Prior-Year AGI is the AGI from the tax return that the IRS processed and has on record. Getting sidetracked by draft copies or amended returns is where many filers go wrong. Here are the most reliable methods to find the exact number the IRS is looking for.

Method 1: Your 2022 Filed Tax Return

The simplest place to start is with the copy of the tax return you filed last year. Make sure you are looking at the final version that was sent to the IRS, not a draft.

• If you filed Form 1040, your AGI is on Line 11.
• If you filed Form 1040-SR (for seniors), your AGI is also on Line 11.
• If you filed Form 1040-NR (for non-resident aliens), your AGI is on Line 11.

Just look for the line labeled "Adjusted Gross Income" and use that exact number. Do not round it, and remember to enter only the digits, without any commas or dollar signs.

Method 2: Your IRS Online Account or Tax Transcript

If you can't find last year's return or aren't sure you're looking at the final version, the most authoritative source is the IRS itself. You can get this information instantly online.

1. Visit the IRS Get Transcript tool. You will need to create an account with ID.me if you don't already have one, which requires providing personal information to verify your identity.
2. Once logged in, choose "Tax Return Transcript" for the 2022 tax year.
3. Open the downloaded PDF. The "Adjusted Gross Income" will be clearly listed near the top of the transcript. This is the exact number the IRS has on file, making it the most reliable figure to use.

If you cannot create an online account, you can also use the same tool to request a transcript by mail, though this process will take several days.

Method 3: Within Your TurboTax Account

If you used TurboTax last year, your prior-year return is likely stored right in your account. You can log in, access your 2022 documents, and view your Form 1040 to find your AGI on Line 11. This is often the quickest solution for returning users.

Common Traps and Special Situations That Cause AGI Mismatches

Sometimes, the "correct" AGI isn't as straightforward as just looking at Line 11. These common scenarios often cause mismatches, so check if any apply to you.

You Filed an Amended Return (Form 1040-X)

This is a major source of confusion. The IRS identity-check system often uses a taxpayer’s original AGI, not the AGI from a subsequent amended return. If your return was rejected and you filed a Form 1040-X last year, try resubmitting with the AGI from your original 2022 return.

Your Filing Status Changed

Did your marital status change? The rule here trips up many people:

• Filed Jointly Last Year, but Filing Separately This Year: If you and your spouse filed a joint return in 2022, both of you must use the exact same total AGI from that 2022 joint return for verification this year. Do not split it in half or use only your portion of the income.
• Filed Separately Last Year, but Filing Jointly This Year: Each spouse should enter their individual AGI from their respective 2022 returns. TurboTax will prompt for both when filing jointly.

You Didn't File or Filed Late in 2022

What if the IRS has no record of a 2022 return for you? This can happen if you didn't file, weren't required to file, or if you filed last year's paper return very late and it hasn’t been processed yet. In these cases, your "prior-year AGI" in the IRS system is zero.

You should enter "$0" as your AGI. This tells the IRS system that you are a first-time filer or that they have no prior-year figure on file against which to verify you.

You Have an IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)

The IP PIN is a six-digit number assigned by the IRS to taxpayers who have been victims of identity theft or who live in certain areas. This PIN is the ultimate security key and overrides the need for an AGI verification.

• If the IRS sent you a CP01A Notice with an IP PIN, you must use it when you e-file.
• Find the section in TurboTax where it asks if you have an IP PIN and enter it there. You may be asked for your AGI too, but the IP PIN is the primary verification tool for your filing.

How to Correct and Re-Efile Your Return in TurboTax

Once you’ve found the correct AGI, fixing your rejected return is straightforward. TurboTax is designed to make this process easy.

1. Sign Back In: Log in to your TurboTax account. You will immediately see a status message indicating that your return was rejected.
2. Begin the Fix: Click the button or follow the prompts to fix and refile your return. TurboTax will walk you through the necessary steps.
3. Navigate to the AGI Section: The software will automatically take you to the filing section. It will usually have a step labeled "Sign and File" or a similar verification check. This is where you previously entered your AGI.
4. Re-enter the Correct AGI: Carefully type in the correct AGI you located using one of the methods above. Remember, no commas or decimal points. If your AGI was $54,321, enter 54321.
5. Transmit Your Return Again: Follow the on-screen instructions to re-transmit your completed return to the IRS. There is no additional charge or penalty for refiling a rejected return.

Once resubmitted, you should receive an email confirmation within 24-48 hours letting you know if the return was accepted.

Final Thoughts

Receiving an AGI rejection in TurboTax is a detour, not a dead end. This security check is just a procedural step, ensuring your tax information is safe. By methodically finding the AGI the IRS has on file, whether a specific number or zero, you can quickly fix the mismatch and get your return filed successfully.

While fixing an AGI is often about tracking down a single number, tax professionals know most questions lack such a clear-cut answer. Researching complex client situations requires confidence that an answer is rooted in official guidance. With Feather AI, we provide instant, citation-backed answers directly from the tax code, allowing you to move from research to actionable client strategy faster and with more certainty.