child's federal tax return keeps getting rejected for IND-031-04 - The primary taxpayer's AGI or Self-select PIN from last year does not match IRS records.

[dscek]

Hi, I am trying to e-file my minor children's federal tax returns, but they keep getting rejected for "IND-031-04 - The primary taxpayer's AGI or Self-select PIN from last year does not match IRS records." I confirmed that the AGI numbers from last year's returns were correctly entered. Turbotax (using Deluxe for Windows) even pre-filled the AGI numbers in from last year's returns (which I also used Turbotax for and am using again on the same computer that has last year's tax data files).

Last year, I did file tax returns for the children, but since it was the first time they had to file a return, it had to be mailed in and could not be e-filed. Could this have anything to do with the issue?

I'm also wondering if the problem is with the AGI or PIN. On last year's returns, they didn't have an Identity Protection PIN specified, but there was a PIN specified for a Third Party Designee. The 5 digit PIN that's being used to try to e-file the returns this year is different than the Third Party Designee's PIN from last year's returns. Do they need to be the same? Is there anyway to narrow down whether the mismatch is with the AGI or PIN (or both)?

I looked at https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/rejections/help/e-file-reject-ind-031-04-or-ind-032-04-the-agi-or-..., but it doesn't seem helpful for my situation.

I tried re-submitting the returns with the same data thinking the first time I got the IND-031-04 error returned, it was temporary glitch. But they got rejected again with the same error the second time.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[VolvoGirl]

It might be for the AGI especially since you mailed it last year.  Try entering 0 (zero) for the AGI to efile.

And make sure on their return you checked the box that says they can be claimed on someone else's return.  Go to My Info and scroll down to #3.

[dscek]

On the Federal Information Worksheet for their returns, the Yes checkbox is selected for both of the "Dependent of Someone Else" questions. And I confirmed on the 1040 in forms mode that the "Someone can claim you as a dependent" checkbox is selected in the Standard Deduction section.

Is it really ok to enter 0 for AGI even though there was a non-0 AGI amount on their mailed in returns last year? Has anyone else done the same for a similar situation as mine and this worked out? I'm concerned I might get a IND-163 error (https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/rejections/help/e-file-reject-ind-163-return-already-rejected-mult...) if I try to e-file and get rejected again.

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

Yes try 0.  The IRS did not open the mail last year for a long time.  So the AGI might not be in the IRS database to verify it.  0 usually works for everyone.  If zero doesn't work you will have to print and mail it.  

[dscek]

So it turned out that using $0 for last year's AGI allowed the federal e-file to go thru. Thanks a lot for suggesting that. It's really odd that using a technically incorrect number works for the e-file and the technically correct number does not.

I also came across this Turbotax help article https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/rejections/help/what-if-i-entered-the-correct-agi-and-i-m-still-ge..., but it only mentions using $0 for the AGI if you "Filed late last year after mid-November or your return was processed after that time". This does not apply to my situation though. I wonder if Turbotax should also mention using $0 for my children's situation where the prior year's return was the first one ever filed and it was mailed in. But maybe they don't want to be technically incorrect about this in case it doesn't work for some people.

[donna064--]

i get the same reject what gives with turbo tax you cant you talk yo a person? We need a person to talk to

[JeanneLO]

Have you ordered a tax transcript to see if your AGI is correct? Sometimes the IRS makes adjustments that you may not be aware of. Please click this link to order a transcript online from the IRS.

See this for more information: TurboTax Online instructions for E-file reject IND-031-04 or IND-032-04: The AGI or Self-select PIN ...

Follow the instructions in this TurboTax FAQ to contact customer support:  What is the TurboTax phone number?

[dscek]

I actually did end up ordering tax transcripts for my children's returns from last year. The AGI on them matched what I had initially tried to enter to do the e-file that was rejected. So it seems there is some disconnect on the IRS end where the AGI number they are expecting for the e-file verification doesn't match their own records. Anyways, entering $0 for last year's AGI worked to do the e-file even though the correct AGI was non-zero.

[K_n_R]

I wanted to report that I had the exact issue of the original poster: @dscek. I submitted my kids Tax Returns with their dues near the deadline last summer for 2019, and the IRS gladly and quickly cashed those checks once received, so I don't agree with the opening mail argument unless they are saying to translate from physical returns to digital, which I can understand that. So this year was the first year to e-file for all my kids, since last year was the first submittal. However, I also used the correct AGI from 2019 but they were rejected and I was able to remedy it by selecting $0 dollars for 2019 AGI, which was wrong but correct according to the IRS.

[storrey]

I got the same exact error on my kids tax returns. Seems like Turbotax needs to proactively address this issue with childrens returns. I must've submitted them 5 times...entering them exactly as I did last year.

[ChondelLO]

Please respond to this thread if you still need assistance or have a question.  @storrey