Filed paper return in 2020 without PIN can I e-file for 2021 return

[RCAR2021]

I filed a paper 1040-SR for 2020 without a PIN.  Can I e-file for 2021?

I am getting rejected and is says to check AGI, but it matches exactly, or check PIN.  How can my PIN this year match a paper return in which I did not enter a PIN?

Will I ever be able to e-file?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

You can enter any 5 digit PIN on the 2021 tax return.

If your 2021 tax return is being rejected for the 2020 AGI and you have entered the correct 2020 AGI as shown on the 2020 federal tax return Form 1040 Line 11 -

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

[Carl]

Just FYI, but from what I experience helping someone locally last year, after the 5th rejected e-file attempt, the IRS computers appear to refuse any further attempts, even if the PIN/AGI data is correct, and informs you that you have no choice but to mail it.

[RCAR2021]

Thanks so much, this response solved my issue.

Thank you.

[KatrinaLO]

@RCAR2021

I'm happy to hear your issue has been resolved. If you need further assistance, you can contact customer support. 

Please see the following information here for more details. 

[Coop2019]

I have the same problem, but entering the 0 for AGI did not work and my return was rejected again.  Last year I filed a paper return for 2020 and this year I'm e-filing for the first time with Turbo Tax. I entered the correct 2020 AGI and entered a 5 digit Pin as instructed by Intuit.  It was rejected saying my AGI or Pin did not match the IRS.  I e-filed again using your suggestion of entering 0 as the AGI, but was rejected for the 2nd time.  Do you have any more suggestions on how to fix this?

[Katina S]

See our FAQ on how you can obtain your Last year's AGI from your taxes filed with Turbo Tax. Be sure to take note of how you can get a transcript directly from the IRS to see what they have your AGI recorded as.

Here  is an FAQ on how to fix your rejected return due to your AGI.

@Coop2019

[Coop2019]

I resolved the problem (s).  There were three and finally on the 5th and Last available attempt I had the right combination: 

1) Previous year AGI had to be entered as Zero for HUSBAND because IRS had not yet updated their records for 2020 paper filings. 

2) Previous year AGI had to be entered as Zero for WIFE because IRS had not yet updated their records for 2020 filings paper filings. 

3) The middle initial of WIFE did not match the IRS's records.  This was going on for 30 years, but was never a problem with paper filing.  With e-filing, it has to be an exact match to the IRS's records. This middle initial difference was noticed when reviewing the IRS's letter reporting the stimulus payments for 2021.

If the 5th and last attempt had been rejected, no problem...I would have just mailed a paper copy in.