AGI in 2019 on paper return lost in backlog not recognized

[Lewlew]

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/agi/help/how-do-i-find-last-year-s-agi/00/25947

So I filled it properly the first time per my TT from 2019. But my 2019 is not available to IRS yet because of a mass of paper returns in the backlog.  Next advice per the link above was to put ZERO.  I did. Still REJECTED.  

I am in the UK.   I have a US bank, no problem there.  So how can I get the efile to go through?  I never owe tax or pay tax, I always zero out as we are MJF with SocSec and a small pension.  So I am only trying to get the 2nd stimulus check via a refund which TT shows I am entitled to.

Can I not efile for this?  Do I have to send paper returns AGAIN ???

[WendyN2]

Under the law, if your 2020 tax return isn't filed and processed by the time the IRS starts processing your third stimulus check, the tax agency will use your 2019 tax return to get the information it needs to calculate your payment.    

[Lewlew]

Thanks, but that is not the problem. I want my SECOND stim check from December. I tried to efile my 2020 and claim it as rebate, but the IRS has rejected my 2019 AGI because they have not processed my 2019 return so my TT AGI does not relate to their current records. It was filed as a paper return and is lost in a trailer someplace. Probably TX as that is where international returns are filed.  So I tried putting ZERO in, or $1, but nothing works. It is STILL rejected.  For the THIRD stim check, I am willing to wait to see what happens after I got caught up with efiling so they'd have my 2019 AND 2020 AGI.

So no joy for me. I will. I will have to courier my return, or maybe best just wait till closer to April 15 to try again to efile. Maybe they will have gotten to the backlog of paper 2019's by then.

What a mess. You would think they'd have teams of temps ready to do the simpler backlogged paper returns, especially for low earners who have simple filings. Save the expertise for the complicated ones.  I understand that they are not doing that and that is it first come first serve!!!

[Lewlew]

But if they will use my 2019 when they get to it to do the THIRD check, that would be great. But I don't have much hope!

[npierson7]

Yes, the IRS will use the info form 2019 tax return to calculate the amount. If your 2019 tax return wasn't proceeds yet, they might use 2018 taxes. 

[Lewlew]

Thank you for your reply! 😊

Use 2018?  So if that is the only one on their records right now as the 2019 is obviously unprocessed, should I try using that year's AGI? 🤞 That would be my third try using efile.  Is it worth a go or will it 'lock me out'. I have been buying TT for 20 years whilst living in the UK. Have always only been able to file by paper. I buy the Deluxe version, too.  I was buying in from 1997 to do my dad's and my taxes when he was still alive. It really was so useful as you just did the work and printed off and sent it in. Now the efile thing has made life so complicated, especially if you live abroad, but I am hesitate to go to one of the other ones that lets you file online from abroad as I am used to TT and it has all my records for 20 years.  It seems now I can do it online. I just have to faff the phone number.

I cannot establish an online IRS account anyways as I am overseas and do not have a US based mobile. I thought if you wanted a code posted to you in the mail, you did not need a mobile number. Guess that is incorrect. 😐

[DianeW777]

I would suggest that you use zero for the 2019 AGI since your 2019 tax return has not been fully processed.  Then try to e-file again.

You can submit your rejected tax return as many times as you want but if you continue to get the same error, you may want to file by mail again.

You are required to reconcile the first and second stimulus payments on the 2020 tax return just as you have indicated.

Most of the comments are referring to the stimulus payments and where the IRS will check if a current return is not on file to decide how much to send out for this next release. 

You can review these links for your third stimulus payments.

• How will the third stimulus impact me?
• American Rescue Plan: What Does it Mean for You and a Third Stimulus Check
• Where's my third stimulus check?
• Get My Payment FAQs
• IRS Statement-American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

[Lewlew]

I have submitted using the 2018 AGI since I have only ever filed paper returns using TT, that is the only one they seem to have. My AGIs rarely vary much.  Will see if it's rejected.  If so, I will just courier the bloody thing to get the 2nd stim check as a refund.... some day.  So getting the third will happen sometime late spring/summer perhaps as by THEN they will have my 2020? Fingers crossed again.

[ReneeM7122]

Here is a TurboTax article with the latest information about the third stimulus payment.

If you didn't receive your stimulus and it went to the form of a refund due to the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return, please check this link for more information.

If you never received the stimulus at all and did not declare it on your tax return, please check this link.

[Lewlew]

OK used 2018 and was rejected again.  It is saying this as below.  Isn't the MJF AGI the same for both spouses together?  You don't halve it or anything, do you?  I created two different 5 digit pins as this 2020 return was the first time I have efiled.  What is going wrong!!!!???

Rejected On:
March 17, 2021 09:03 AM PDT

What this means:
The IRS has found the following problems with your return:

• The primary taxpayer's AGI or Self-select PIN from last year does not match IRS records.
• 'SpousePriorYearPIN' or 'SpousePriorYearAGIAmt' in the Return Header must match the e-File database.
• The primary taxpayer's AGI or Self-select PIN from last year does not match IRS records.

Next step:
Don't worry, we can help! Just open your return in TurboTax and we'll walk you through fixing the error and e-filing again at no additional cost.

I HAVE PRINTED IT OUT AND TAKING IT TO A COURIER TO FEDEX IT TO AUSTIN TX.  FED UP!!!