Did you file your taxes last year and now need to access your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from that return? Whether you’re applying for a loan, trying to e-file this year’s taxes, or need it for identity verification, knowing your AGI from last year is often crucial. It’s a key piece of information that confirms your identity to various institutions and unlocks access to essential financial processes.
Forgetting or misplacing that information can be a real headache, potentially delaying your application or forcing you to resort to more complicated and time-consuming methods of verification. Fortunately, retrieving your AGI from last year is usually a straightforward process, provided you know where to look. We’ll explore the most common and reliable methods to obtain this vital financial data so you can move forward with confidence.
Where Can I Find My AGI From Last Year?
Where do I find my AGI from last year’s tax return?
Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from last year’s tax return is typically found on line 11 of the IRS Form 1040. It might also be on line 8 of Form 1040-SR (for seniors), if that’s the form you used.
Your AGI is a crucial number because it’s used to calculate various tax deductions and credits. It represents your gross income minus certain deductions like contributions to traditional IRAs, student loan interest, and self-employment taxes. Therefore, finding the correct AGI is essential for accurately filing your current year’s taxes, especially when e-filing or verifying your identity with the IRS. If you don’t have a copy of your previous year’s tax return readily available, you have a few options. You can try to retrieve it from the tax software you used to file, or if you used a tax preparer, they should have a copy. Alternatively, you can request a transcript from the IRS. An IRS tax transcript summarizes your tax information, including your AGI, and you can obtain it online through the IRS website, by phone, or by mail. Be aware that ordering a full copy of your tax return from the IRS might take longer to receive than a transcript.
What form is last year’s AGI located on?
Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from last year is primarily found on line 11 of Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. This is the most common and reliable place to locate it.
While line 11 of Form 1040 is the standard location, it’s crucial to ensure you’re looking at the correct tax year’s form. For example, if you need your 2022 AGI, you’ll want to consult your 2022 Form 1040. Prior to the 2018 tax year, the AGI was located on different lines of Form 1040, such as line 37 of the 2017 form. Therefore, carefully check the form’s year and the line number to avoid errors.
Alternatively, if you used tax preparation software or a tax professional, your AGI will be readily available within your saved tax return documents. Most software packages and preparers clearly label the AGI within the summary or main return document. Finally, you can access your prior year tax returns and therefore your AGI through the IRS website by creating an account and using the “Get Transcript” tool.
How do I retrieve my AGI if I didn’t file last year?
If you didn’t file taxes last year, your AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) will be $0. The IRS defines AGI as your gross income minus certain deductions, and if you didn’t file, they have no record of your income or deductions. You’ll use $0 when e-filing this year’s return and asked for last year’s AGI to verify your identity.
It’s important to understand that even if you didn’t file, you still might have had a filing requirement. If your income exceeded certain thresholds, you were legally obligated to file a tax return. Not filing when required can result in penalties and interest. If you’re unsure if you should have filed, you should consult the IRS guidelines or a tax professional to determine your filing requirements based on your income, filing status, and age for the tax year in question.
If you *did* have income last year but simply didn’t file a return, you’ll need to gather your income documents (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) and prepare a tax return for that year. You can then file that prior-year return. Once processed, the AGI from that return will be the AGI you should use in subsequent filings where prior-year AGI is requested. You can’t e-file prior year returns; they must be mailed to the IRS.
Can I use a prior year’s tax transcript to get my AGI?
Yes, you can absolutely use a prior year’s tax transcript to find your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). The AGI is a key figure on your tax return, and it’s readily available on your tax transcript issued by the IRS.
Your AGI is located on line 8a of Form 1040 from tax years 2018 through 2024. Tax transcripts are official IRS records that summarize your tax return information. They’re often needed to verify your income for various purposes, such as applying for loans, scholarships, or certain government programs. Requesting a tax transcript is free and can be done online through the IRS website using their Get Transcript tool, by mail using Form 4506-T, or by phone. Using a tax transcript is often the easiest and most reliable way to retrieve your AGI, especially if you don’t have a copy of your original tax return readily available. The transcript provides an accurate figure directly from the IRS, eliminating the potential for errors that might occur when manually calculating your AGI or relying on memory. Make sure to request the “Tax Return Transcript,” as other types of transcripts may not include the AGI.
What if I used a tax preparer last year; how do I get my AGI?
If you used a tax preparer last year, the easiest way to get your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is to contact them directly and request a copy of your tax return or simply ask them for your AGI. They should have a record of it readily available.
Alternatively, you likely received a copy of your tax return from your preparer for your own records. Look for your Form 1040. Your AGI is typically found on line 11 of the 2023 Form 1040. Prior year forms may have slightly different line numbers, so check the form carefully for the “Adjusted Gross Income” line. The tax preparer may have also provided you with a summary sheet which could also conveniently list your AGI.
If you can’t reach your tax preparer or locate your copy of your return, you can obtain your AGI from the IRS directly. You can either use the IRS’s Get Transcript tool online at IRS.gov, or you can request a tax transcript by mail using Form 4506-T. The online method is significantly faster. When using the Get Transcript tool, be sure to request a “Tax Return Transcript,” which includes your AGI. Keep in mind that the “Account Transcript” does *not* show AGI.
Is there a way to get my AGI online from the IRS?
Yes, the IRS provides several online methods to access your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from previous tax years. The easiest and most recommended option is to use the IRS’s Get Transcript Online tool.
The Get Transcript Online tool requires you to create an account and verify your identity using Secure Access authentication. This involves providing personal information like your Social Security number, date of birth, filing status, and address. You’ll also need to have access to a valid email address and a mobile phone number for authentication. Once your identity is verified, you can view, download, and print your tax transcripts, which include your AGI for the requested tax year. This is a free service offered by the IRS.
Alternatively, if you’re unable to use the online tool, you can request a tax transcript by mail. To do this, use the Get Transcript by Mail option on the IRS website. You’ll need to provide similar information as with the online tool, and the transcript will be mailed to your address of record. Keep in mind that this method takes longer than accessing your AGI online, typically 5 to 10 calendar days. Your AGI is needed to verify your identity when e-filing your taxes, so accessing it quickly online is often preferable.
What do I do if I can’t remember last year’s AGI?
If you can’t remember your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from last year, don’t panic! The easiest way to retrieve it is by accessing your prior year’s tax return. If you filed electronically, you likely have a digital copy on your computer or stored in the tax software you used. If you filed a paper return, hopefully you kept a copy; if not, you have other options.
The IRS offers several methods for obtaining your AGI. The quickest is to use the IRS’s Get Transcript tool online. You’ll need to verify your identity through their Secure Access process. Once verified, you can view and download a transcript of your tax return, which includes your AGI. Alternatively, you can request a tax transcript by mail using Form 4506-T, “Request for Transcript of Tax Return.” This method takes longer, typically 5 to 10 business days, but is a reliable option if you can’t access the online tool. Be sure to specify that you need a “Tax Return Transcript.”
Another possibility is to check with your tax preparer, if you used one. They should have a copy of your return in their files. Keep in mind that they may charge a fee for retrieving and providing this information. Finally, as a last resort, you can order a copy of your actual tax return from the IRS by filing Form 4506, “Request for Copy of Tax Return.” This option involves a fee and takes the longest to process, typically up to 75 calendar days. Using the IRS transcript tool is almost always the fastest and most efficient way to find your AGI.
And that’s all there is to it! Getting your AGI from last year doesn’t have to be a headache. Hopefully, this helped clear things up and get you what you needed. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back soon for more helpful tips and tricks to navigate the world of taxes (and beyond!).