e-file rejection after mail filing previous years

[Coyote0]

Here's a question with the answer.   I e-filed until 2016 then filed by mail in 2017.  Since that time I've been unable to e-file.  My returns were rejected with the infamous IND-031-034 error of bad 5 digit PIN or AGI. The AGI and 2016 PIN were correct, verified by IRS transcript and my records.

What finally worked this tax year (2020) was using $0 for the AGI with the 2016 PIN.  My theory is that the IRS computers were looking for my 2016 AGI (the last year I was able to e-file successfully and *not* the 2019 AGI as stated in the instructions).

I can't prove this because I successfully filed with AGI $0.

[ee-ea]

IRS is still working 2019 paper returns. If yours was not done by the cut off you are recorded as not having filed a 2019 form. AGI for 2019 would be zero.

[Coyote0]

As I said in my answer, my IRS transcript just retrieved showed the expected AGI for 2019.   Is it still your claim it would be zero?