If you didn't file 2021 or filed it later in the year or mailed it, then try entering 0 for the AGI. If that doesn't work you will have to print and mail your return.

Thanks @Critter-3 . I filed an extension for 2021 tax in April 2022, and e-filed in October 2022, it was processed and showed up on 2021 tax transcript on IRS website. In this case can I still try to put 0 as the AGI instead of the correct AGI on the IRS transcript?

If the IRS rejected your return for an incorrect AGI then try entering a ZERO  and if that doesn't work you will either have to mail in the return  OR  pay a professional tax pro to efile the return.  

Go get you an IP PIN from the irs.gov website. It is an identity protection pin that you will create an account with id me and sign into the irs to get it. It is linked to your personal info so the irs can prove who you are by using this number and no more rejected return!

Get An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)

Thanks @KellyA-confused consumer . Does this pin work on directly e-filing on IRS website or e-filing via Turbo Tax? Turbo Tax didn't seem to ask for my pin, it only asked for previous tax year AGI.

Anywhere you efile at all. No matter what software or what company it will work!😉

@favonianzs 

Once you get an IP PIN issued by the IRS you MUST use it to file all returns going forward no matter how/where you file.  In the TT program the IP PIN is NOT entered in the FILE tab ...

In Online TurboTax, here are 3 ways to get to the right place to enter the IP PIN.  You only need to use one method.   You can choose which method works for you the best.

• Open the interview back up and click in the top right on the SEARCH icon.
• Enter the term IP PIN without quotes.  When entering, ignore the dropdown menu, and instead click the small magnifying glass on that same line.
• Then click on Jump to IP PIN.

Or here's a second way:

• With your return open, click in the left menu column on TAX TOOLS, then choose TOOLS.
• In the Tools window choose TOPIC SEARCH.
• Enter the term IP PIN without quotes.
• In the selection list highlight IP PIN and click GO.

Or here's a third navigation method:

• With your return open, in the left menu column, click Federal.
• Then at the top of the screen choose  Other Tax Situation
• If this is your first time in that section, answer the preliminary questions, and it may ask you if you have an IP PIN.  If so, indicate "yes", and keep following the screens as it guides you to enter it.
• If it doesn't, such as if you've previously been in that section, click on "See all uncommon tax situations" to see all the topics in that section.
• In the "Uncommon tax situations" list, scroll down to Other Return Info, and expand to see the subtopics, one of which is Identity Protection PIN.

@Critter-3 @KellyA-confused consumer  Thanks guys! I just created an IP PIN on IRS website. It said "You must use the IP PIN on all federal income tax returns 1040 and 1040 PR/SS and any delinquent returns filed during the current calendar year 2023." Does that mean I should use it for 2023 tax return or for any year's tax return filed in 2023? A few minutes before creating this IP PIN, I re-submitted efiles on Turbo Tax using a "0" AGI, unlike the previous instant rejection, I have not received a notification for either accepting or rejection yet, I do not know what that means. I suppose if it comes back as "rejected" again, I can try to add the new IP PIN in Turbo Tax and re-submit.

Use the IP PIN for this tax filing season and next season you need a new one.

Thank you, @KellyA-confused consumer . I am still a little unsure, is the IP PIN created just now for 2023 tax return due by April 2024, or for 2022 tax return filed in 2023?

If you are not sure, you are currently in "calendar year 2023"

IRS sends out the next PIN in January.

@favonianzs 

Thank you @fanfare ! Good catch! It does say "calendar year" instead of "tax year", so I'll get a new PIN in 2024 before filing 2023 tax 🙂

Thanks @Critter-3 @KellyA-confused consumer ! Update: the federal tax return filed with "0" AGI got accepted. Weird that IRS does have my correct 2021 AGI on the transcript but the tax return with the correct AGI was rejected, while the return with the wrong AGI of "0" was accepted. Maybe some parts of their system were not updated with my correct information yet. Before filing for 2023 tax in April 2024, I'll get a new PIN to include with the tax return to help it go through more smoothly ：）

The IRS system has a "cut off date" for the AGI lists which seems to be returns processed by about 11/1 of the prior year so if you filed late, filed by mail or the return was not processed by the cut off date the  AGI system will not have the AGI on file ... thus using the "zero" trick usually works. 

@Critter-3 Good to know! I just filed my 2022 tax, it is not quite likely to be processed by 11/1, so it looks like I might need to pull the 0 AGI trick again when I file my tax for 2023!

I always thought it was if you like filed after 8/1 the AGI didn't get in the IRS database.  

TL;DR      Setting AGI to ZERO WORKED for me on the rejected 2022 Fed e-file.  2021 was snail-mailed, not e-filed.

I fumbled around with a few rejections of my 2022 Federal e-file. Due to life circumstances, I finally filed my 2021 taxes by snail mail in April or May of 2023 (2021 e-file window was long closed).  The AGI that TurboTax brought forward from 2021 into my 2022 filing info was correct, which I confirmed both by checking my TurboTax records AND by logging into my IRS account.  (A few times.  😅) Then I turned to the Community and found the workaround to set AGI to zero and re-file. 

2021 wasn't e-filed (after years of e-filing with TurboTax). That must have created a "disturbance in the force"  causing the 2022 AGI e-file rejection. 

• Tried to efile and irs rejected as well. Turbotax desktop told me it was an error in the 2021 AGI. I confirmed it was correct by logging into irs.gov. Turns out the error was wrong, it was because I was missing the 6 digit Identity Protection (IP) PIN issued each year by the IRS. Just log into your IRS.gov account and you can find it there. Enter it under Other Tax Situations.

If you’re paper filing, the IRS customer service I spoke with said you do not need the IP PIN.  Good luck!

My 2023 e-file return has been rejected 3 times, error says spouse AGI doesn't match IRS records.  We had the same AGI and it was correct on e-file, but the error only mentions spouse and not me - why?  Due to natural disaster extensions I believe my paper 2022 return hasn't been fully processed by the IRS yet.  I'm going to try the AGI zero trick, how many times can you try to re-file an e-file return before getting locked out by the IRS?

I don't know how many times would trigger a lock-out, I think I tried probably three times with the correct AGI but got rejected, then tried the zero AGI trick and it worked. 

The IRS uses your prior year AGI to combat fraud.   

You can find your 2022 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) by: 

Looking at line11 on page 1 of your 2022 Form 1040; or 

You can request a transcript of your 2022 tax return from the IRS to ensure you have the right number. You can request your transcript online at the following link: Get Transcript  

Check these items as well to ensure you have the correct number.  If you: 

• Filed late last year after mid-November or your return was processed after that time—try entering 0. 
• Amended your return last year—make sure you’re using the AGI from your original return, not the amended one. (If you only have a 1040X form, it’s on line 1, column A). 
• Rounded your AGI to the nearest dollar—be sure to round up when it’s 50 cents or more and down when it’s 49 cents or less. 
• Filed with your spouse last year—you and your spouse have the same 2022 AGI. (Don’t split the AGI amount or enter 0 for one of you). 

Time-saving Tip: If what you entered is correct and you continue to get a reject, you won't be able to e-file. There's probably a data mismatch at the government, or some other situation beyond your control that prevents your return from being e-filed. In this case, your only option would be to print and mail in your return. 

This article will give you instruction on how to print and mail your return.