How to fix a rejected efile that came with an IND-031-04 error? Details below

[Spi36]

I did not efile last year (for 2020), so there was no efile pin from last year. I mailed in my return before the deadline and sent a check which was cleared by mid May, 2021, so I assume IRS received and processed my return in May 2021. I efiled this year (2021 return) before April 18. With the above scenario, even though I entered the right AGI (from line 11 of last year's return) and entered a 5 digit PIN (new this year), why am I getting this IND-031-04 error and how do I fix and resubmit ?

It got rejected twice with the same error. Is there a workaround so that I can still efile ?

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

The IRS does not have a 2020 AGI in their database for you.

Enter a 0 (zero) for the 2020 AGI and e-file the 2021 tax return again.

[Spi36]

To clarify - I didn't efile my 2020 return last year but mailed it with a check before the tax filing deadline last year. I am efiling this year.  Are you saying they don't have my 2020 AGI in their database though I mailed my return, or is it that they don't have the 2020 AGI in the database because I did not efile last year (only mailed it)?

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

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@ Spi36 wrote:

To clarify - I didn't efile my 2020 return last year but mailed it with a check before the tax filing deadline last year. I am efiling this year.  Are you saying they don't have my 2020 AGI in their database though I mailed my return, or is it that they don't have the 2020 AGI in the database because I did not efile last year (only mailed it)?

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The IRS will cash checks when they receive them; it's no indication of any return having finished processing.  Processing for a mailed 2020 return can take several months due to the Pandemic at that time and the huge backlog.  The IRS was terribly behind on mailed 2020 returns, and actually is still processing some 2020 returns.  

Since you tried using the 2020 AGI from your original 2020 return (not an amended one, if any), then the next step is to try using a 2020 AGI of 0 (zero.)

[Spi36]

Thank you , DoninGA and mesquitebean! I will try with AGI 0.

[Spi36]

It went through. Thanks!

[mesquitebean]

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@Spi36 wrote:

It went through. Thanks!

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Great news!  We're glad it worked for you.  Good luck.