topic Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI in After you file

E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

favonianzs — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:51:03 GMT

Hey guys,

I just tried to e-file my 2022 tax and it was rejected. Turbo Tax said it was because the 2021 AGI does not match IRS record. I double checked my 2021 tax return record at Turbo Tax and just downloaded my 2021 tax transcript from IRS, and confirmed my input of 2021 AGI was actually correct and did match IRS transcript. What should I do in this case?

Thanks for your help!

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

Critter-3 — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 01:50:08 GMT

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.

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

favonianzs — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 01:58:20 GMT

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?

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

Critter-3 — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 02:05:14 GMT

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.

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

KellyA-confused consumer — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 02:17:36 GMT

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)

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

favonianzs — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 02:21:48 GMT

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.

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

KellyA-confused consumer — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 02:23:26 GMT

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

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

Critter-3 — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 02:27:03 GMT

@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.

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

favonianzs — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 02:38:13 GMT

@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.

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

KellyA-confused consumer — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 03:21:45 GMT

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

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

favonianzs — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 03:28:03 GMT

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?

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

fanfare — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 13:40:15 GMT

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

IRS sends out the next PIN in January.

@favonianzs

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

favonianzs — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 04:26:05 GMT

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 🙂

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

favonianzs — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 04:31:23 GMT

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 ：）

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

Critter-3 — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:36:35 GMT

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.

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

favonianzs — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 03:42:56 GMT

@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!

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

VolvoGirl — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 03:57:08 GMT

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

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

wutexit — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 04:57:47 GMT

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.

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

Ilchensd — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 22:27:18 GMT

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!

Re: E-file got rejected even with the correct AGI

CCDAve — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 16:24:14 GMT

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?