Why do I need my 2020 tax returns to file my 2022 taxes? That’s not making sense to me

[xmasbaby0]

You are being asked to enter your 2020 AGI in order to e-file your 2021 tax return.  The IRS will match your AGI and Social Security number in order to verify that the return is being filed by the same person.

Where do I find my AGI?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/agi/help/how-do-i-find-last-year-s-agi/01/25947

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-access-my-prior-year-return/00/270...

Your 2020 tax return shows your 2020 Adjusted Gross Income  (AGI)  If you filed a joint return then the AGI is the same for each of you.

Form 1040        line 11

If you are using the same TT account that you used last year, you should also be able to find this number in your Tax Home for 2020

If entering the amount from your 2020 tax return does not work, then try entering “0” instead.  If that does not work and you still cannot e-file, then print, sign, and mail your tax return.

You can get a free transcript of your past return from the IRS:  

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

Note: If you filed late or amended your return, your correct 2020 AGI may not be in the system. 

[SteamTrain]

@f96887bbabaf 

These are NOT your 2022 taxes!  You are preparing your 2021 Taxes !!   

(for which you can transfer in some of your 2020 data & empty forms).

You prepare your 2021 taxes in 2022, but they  Are still called 2021 taxes because that is the year they are dealing with.

You won't do 2022 taxes until 2023, after 2022 is over.

Yeah, a number of people have to get their minds wrapped around that thought, so you aren't alone.

[f96887bbabaf]

Okay but what if you don’t know your AGI.I didn’t not know you suppose to keep up with that every year

[xmasbaby0]

@f96887bbabaf You were given a reply that told you where to find your AGI.   And how you "keep up" with it every year is to save a copy of your tax return and be responsible for knowing what you do with your own financial records.

SAVE YOUR TAX RETURN !

EVERY year before mid-October you should save a copy of your tax return as a pdf and print a copy of it for your records.  That way you will not be searching online frantically when you need it for a lender, FAFSA forms, your next tax return, etc. 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900937-why-should-i-save-a-pdf-copy-of-my-return

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899779-what-s-the-difference-between-the-tax-data-file-and-the-pd...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1912466-how-do-i-save-my-return-as-a-pdf-in-the-turbotax-software-... •

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1912533-how-do-i-save-my-return-as-a-pdf-in-the-turbotax-software-...

[f96887bbabaf]

Thank you. I will keep every last one because this is crazy. I didn’t know you suppose but now I know