DMarkM1
Expert Alumni

Get your taxes done using TurboTax

You are correct; the IRS uses the AGI for the prior year return to identify taxpayers in order to combat fraudulent returns.  The AGI for both taxpayers on a joint return will be the same; no matter who earned the income. 

 

However, if the return is rejected due to the spouse AGI not matching, then enter a zero for your spouse's prior year AGI since this is first-time filing for that social security number. 

 

[edited 3/1/2021 9:57am EST]

 

 

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