Rejected return - Spouse AGI

[jmoore2416]

My 2021 electronically filed federal return is being consistently rejected by the IRS with error message that Spouse AGI for 2020 does not match prior year.  We file jointly every year.  I checked our 2020 return on IRS site and the AGI shown there matches what is shown in the TurboTax window that shows as prior year AGI. 

I see something in the error message referring to a "header".  Is it possible that the prior year AGI amount is not being properly included in this "header" when my return is transmitted to the IRS by TurboTax?  If this is not the case, is TurboTax in contact with the IRS to find resolution to this filing issue that, I suspect, is causing more than just my return to be rejected? 

When contacting Turbotax support, apparently, my only option is to change my filing method to paper and mail in my return.  I am not pleased about waiting for 6 weeks for my mailed-in return to be processed.

[VolvoGirl]

ENTER 0 FOR AGI. The IRS took a long time last year to process 2020 returns so the AGI didn't get entered in time.

When did you file 2020? If it was late in the year or you mailed it, try putting in 0 (zero) for the AGI. And 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
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.
How to mail a return from the Online version
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.


For AGI Reject code 031
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/rejections/help/e-file-reject-ind-031-04-or-ind-032-04-the-agi-or-...

[Engr3454]

THERE IS AN ERROR in the present (3/15/2022) version of TurboTax Deluxe.  For users who filed "married filed jointly" in 2020, it imports the JOINT AGI as the spouse's AGI.  The IRS apparently enters $0 for the spouse's AGI in that case, and therefore rejects the return for an ID-code mismatch.

At least until TurboTax fixes this, THE SOLUTION, when the IRS rejects the return for that reason, is to follow directions in TurboTax to get to the correction point, and enter $0 for the spouse's 2020 AGI.

[bob9991]

Yes!  This worked for me;  change spouse AGI to zero.  Not sure why everybody isn't having this problem.  I have the Deluxe PC download version,  but have continually done the online software updates as I did my taxes.  Why hasn't this been fixed?

[Rdoreswa]

I am still getting this error in Sept , has this not been fixed in any update since April ?

[kaichieh7882]

Just ran into a similar issue this year (2023 filing 2022) and solved it. Here is my experience:
1. My wife and I filed via mail jointly for tax year 2021, at that time, my wife didn't have an ITIN or SSN yet. But we started the ITIN application process along with filing our taxes in 2022.
2. She got her ITIN months later, and then she also got her SSN by starting to work.
3. Fast forward to this year (2023) trying to file my 2022 taxes. I tried to e-file but got error code from federal that my spouse's AGI is not correct.
4. TurboTax lets me fix my spouse's AGI by pressing "fix it." And I entered "0" as suggested in this thread.
5. But then it takes me to the e-file page again and I checked the option that we filed jointly last year (because it asks me specifically what was on my form 1040). Then I entered my AGI again, but it never asked for my spouse's.
6. Submitted, then got rejected again with the exact same error code. And based on the fact that TurboTax tells me the AGI I tried for my wife, which is the same as mine instead of 0, I figured that TurboTax somehow overwrote the "0" I entered for my spouse when I tried to file.
7. Tried live help from TurboTax, the guy just tells me to do exactly what I just did...
8. THIS IS WHAT WORKED: Before efiling, I tell TurboTax that my wife and I filed separately last year (a blatant lie) by checking the corresponding box in the form they have us go through before filing. I enter my AGI number as usual, but then it lets me enter my wife's as well! I checked the box "didn't file last year" for my wife then submitted. (I think if checked the 1040 option for my wife then enter 0 for her AGI it will likely work also).

Hope this will help someone in a similar situation.

[CarissaM]

Thank you for providing what worked to get you past the error, as this may help someone in the community. @kaichieh7882 

[Hsihsak]

Thank you so much! This finally helped after 9 rejections! 

[rdambrosio]

Can confirm that this works (filing for 2023 and had the same issue).  Specifically referring to Step 8

[CatinaT1]

The IRS uses your prior year AGI to combat fraud.   

You can find your 2022 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) by: 

• Looking at line11 on page 1 of your 2022 Form 1040; or 
• You can request a transcript of your 2022 tax return from the IRS to ensure you have the right number. You can request your transcript online at the following link: Get Transcript  

Check these items as well to ensure you have the correct number.  If you: 

• Filed late last year after mid-November or your return was processed after that time—try entering 0. 
• Amended your return last year—make sure you’re using the AGI from your original return, not the amended one. (If you only have a 1040X form, it’s on line 1, column A). 
• Rounded your AGI to the nearest dollar—be sure to round up when it’s 50 cents or more and down when it’s 49 cents or less. 
• Filed with your spouse last year—you and your spouse have the same 2022 AGI. (Don’t split the AGI amount or enter  0  for one of you). 

Time-saving Tip: If what you entered is correct and you continue to get a reject, you won't be able to e-file. There's probably a data mismatch at the government, or some other situation beyond your control that prevents your return from being e-filed. In this case, your only option would be to print and mail in your return. 

This article will give you instruction on how to print and mail your return. 

[grmaki]

I had the same issue for my 2023 returns and was preparing to mail in. But it is Sunday, and while I wait for Monday, I kept attempting to submit electronically and eventually got it to work!
First attempt rejected and TurboTax indicated that it was my spouse's AGI that was a mismatch. I entered a zero as recommended by several folks, but I got rejected a second time. There doesn't appear to be a limit to the number of attempts to submit, so I kept trying.

I tried adding the "00" after the decimal point (bc I saw that the IRS records include ".00") and resubmitted.

This was also rejected, but there was something different. This time it indicated that my own AGI was not matching what the IRS had on file. I added the zeros following the decimal again, but it was reject.

Finally, I entered an amount of zero for my AGI, and this was accepted.

It worked for me, so I hope it helps someone else.

[lal999]

THANK YOU SO MUCH grmaki!  Your trick worked to have both my spouse and my AGI's be 0.  This caused so much stress on my part and I'm so glad I came across your post.  Turbotax needs to fix this glitch!

[copula]

Works like a charm in 2024 as well! Thank you!

[rmamissah]

This was definitely the solution for me as well after 7 rejections. Had to indicate that I filed separately to get the return to be accepted. 

[ABevan]

While completing my 2024 return, I experienced this same issue.  Seems TurboTax would have fixed this issue by now or could provide better guidance.

I'm filing as married and filing jointly as I did last year.  I received the rejection code "Spouse's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)" Reject Code IND-032-04.  When I followed the guidance in TurboTax, I confirmed the AGI amount for me and my spouse on my 2023 return, and double checked the same value on my tax transcript on the IRS website.  TurboTax indicated $0 was rejected by the IRS on my first attempt, eventhough I was not asked to enter my spouse's AGI on the first run through.  When I entered the correct value for my spouse (same as the value for me), the IRS rejected it again with the same error code.  I then tried multiple times thinking there may be a temporary issue with the transmission between TurboTax and the IRS, but kept receiving the same rejection error message.

To resolve the issue, I entered $0 for my spouse AGI and the return was then accepted.  I've been a loyal TurboTax customer for many, many years, but this is a VERY frustrating experience for the cost of TurboTax!  I am planning to explore other options, such as H&R Block for next year as this issue appears to have been an issue for several years based on this thread.

Hopefully this post helps others!