File keeps getting rejected

NonnaK · ‎March 20, 2026

I've transmitted 4 times and the file keeps getting rejected. I tried using 0 as was suggested, but that was in 2021. This is 2026. It's a joint return and one party died on 1/3/25 and it's asking for the 2024 AGI for just him. But it was a joint return. Can't figure out why.

VolvoGirl

You filed Joint for 2024? Enter the same AGI from line 11 for each of you to efile 2025.

Sorry for your loss. I lost my husband in 2023.

You can file a Joint return as normal for the year they passed. For the next two years following a husband's or wife's death, the surviving spouse can file as a qualifying widow or widower if they have a qualifying child. That basically lets you continue to use the same tax brackets that apply to married-filing-jointly returns. After the year of death if you don't have a child you file as Single. To file Single you need start over with a new return and new account. And don't transfer from the Joint return.

See How to file if your spouse recently died
https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/small-business-processes/file-return-spo...

VolvoGirl

If the AGI rejects or entering 0 rejects you will have to print and mail your return.

Try entering 0 for the AGI. The IRS might have processed your return later so the AGI didn't get entered in time. Especially if you mailed it. That works for most people. See,
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/rejections/help/what-if-i-entered-the-correct-agi-and-i-m-still-ge...

How to correct the AGI in the Online version
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/agi/help/where-do-i-correct-my-agi-in-turbotax-online/00/26311

If you can’t get it to efile you will have to print and mail it.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/printing/help/how-do-i-print-and-mail-my-return-in-turbotax-online...

Be sure to attach copies of your W2s and any 1099s that have withholding on them. You have to mail federal and state in separate envelopes because they go to different places. Get a tracking number from the post office when you mail them for proof of filing.