Is my "most recent tax return" last year's return or this year's W-2?

[rgochnauer]

Or are my "W-2" and "most recent tax return" the same thing? I need to know which last name to use (got married this year) to try to get my AGI number from the IRS so I can file together with my spouse. I'm doing something wrong because the IRS can't recognize my identity. Please help

[MichelleT · Accepted solution]

Most recent Tax return is your tax return from last year. 

A W2 is the form your employer/boss gives you that reports the money they paid you this past year.

The best place to get your AGI number is from your originally-filed 2016 federal tax return.

Even if you amended it later, you must use the AGI from the 2016 return you originally filed, even if it's way off.  

Don't have a printed copy of last year's return? You can order a transcript from the IRS. Go to their Get Transcript site, choose Get Transcript Online, and follow the directions (if you don't already have an account, you'll need to set one up).

NOTE: Make sure you PRINT your return out this year.