How Do I Find My AGI from Last Year for Tax Filing and Planning?

When preparing this year’s tax return, the IRS requires one of the most essential details to be last year’s adjusted gross income. Your adjusted gross income, often called AGI, is your total income minus specific adjustments such as student loan interest, retirement contributions, or alimony payments. The IRS uses this number to confirm your identity and validate your electronic tax return, making it essential to locate the correct figure before you e-file.

Many taxpayers wonder, "How do I find my AGI from last year?" The answer depends on whether you have a copy of your prior year's Form 1040 or need to request information from the IRS. Your AGI appears on Form 1040 line 11 and includes wages, dividends, capital gains, taxable income, and other income reduced by certain business expenses or deductions. This figure plays a role in qualifying for tax credits such as the child tax credit and determining how much of your annual income remains subject to income tax.

If you are self-preparing, using tax software, or working with a professional, finding your AGI is a necessary step to move forward. Accurate tax records ensure your year’s tax return is processed smoothly and you can claim all eligible tax deductions and credits. Learning the best methods to find your AGI will save time, avoid filing errors, and stay on track with your taxes.

What Is AGI and Why Does It Matter?

Adjusted gross income, often shortened to AGI, is one of the most important numbers on your tax return. It represents your total income minus specific adjustments and is the foundation for calculating your taxable income. The IRS uses AGI to confirm your identity when you file and to determine your eligibility for various tax credits and deductions.

Your AGI includes many types of income, such as:

• Wages, salaries, and tips
  
  
• Dividends and capital gains
  
  
• Other income, like freelance or side business earnings
  
  
• Annual income from multiple sources reported on Form 1040

From this total income, the IRS allows specific adjustments that reduce AGI. These adjustments include:

• Student loan interest
  
  
• Retirement contributions to traditional IRAs
  
  
• Alimony payments made under pre-2019 divorce agreements
  
  
• Certain business expenses for self-employed individuals

AGI matters because it affects several aspects of your taxes. It determines your filing status eligibility for deductions and influences credits like the child tax credit. It also impacts whether you qualify for specific tax deductions tied to income limits. On the 2023 Form 1040, your adjusted gross income appears on line 11, and this is the exact figure you must provide when filing the following year’s electronic tax return.

How to Find Last Year’s AGI

There are multiple ways to locate your adjusted gross income from your prior year’s tax return. The method you choose depends on whether you have access to your own records, prefer digital tools, or need to request assistance directly from the IRS. Each method ultimately provides the same result: the adjusted gross income listed on line 11 of your Form 1040.

Method 1: Check Your Previous Tax Return

1. Locate your prior year’s tax return. This could be a paper copy stored in your files or a digital version saved by tax software or your tax preparer.
   
   
2. Identify the correct form. For most taxpayers, this will be Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR.
   
   
3. Review line 11. This is where the IRS places your adjusted gross income. Ensure you look at the original return, not an amended version.
   
   
4. Verify the numbers. Your AGI should reflect wages, dividends, capital gains, and other income minus specific adjustments such as retirement contributions, student loan interest, and alimony payments.

This method is the most straightforward if you keep organized tax records. Your AGI is clearly marked, and you can use it immediately when preparing your new electronic tax return.

Method 2: Use Your IRS Online Account

If you cannot find last year’s tax return, the IRS Online Account is often the fastest solution.

1. Go to the IRS Online Account portal on the IRS website.
   
   
2. Sign in with your credentials or create an account. You will need your Social Security number, a valid ID, an email address, and a phone number for verification.
   
   
3. Access your tax records. Navigate to the “Tax Records” section and select “View or download transcripts.”
   
   
4. Choose the correct tax year. Review the Tax Return Transcript to see your adjusted gross income exactly as it was filed.

Using the online account is particularly helpful if you need transcripts for multiple tax years or want access immediately rather than waiting for the mail.

Method 3: Request a Tax Transcript

You can request a transcript if you prefer not to use the online system. This provides official confirmation of your AGI.

Options include:

• Online: Download a digital copy using the IRS “Get Transcript” tool.
  
  
• By mail: Visit the Get Transcript by Mail page and provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address from your last return.
  
  
• By phone: Call 800-908-9946 and follow the automated prompts.

The Tax Return Transcript is recommended because it shows your AGI as originally filed. Delivery varies: online transcripts are immediate, while mailed transcripts arrive in 5–10 calendar days.

Method 4: Call the IRS Automated Service

The IRS provides an automated transcript service for taxpayers who prefer phone assistance.

1. Dial 800-908-9946.
   
   
2. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and address ready.
   
   
3. Follow the automated prompts to request your Tax Return Transcript for the prior tax year.
   
   
4. Wait for delivery, which usually takes 5–10 calendar days.

This method is helpful if you do not have online access but want to confirm your adjusted gross income without relying on old records.

Special Scenarios and Edge Cases

Some taxpayers do not have straightforward situations when trying to find last year’s AGI. Here are the most common exceptions:

• First-time filers: If you are over age 16 and filing your first return, enter $0 as your AGI.
  
  
• Non-filers who used IRS tools: If you used the “Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here” tool in 2020 to register for Economic Impact Payments, enter $1 as your AGI.
  
  
• Delayed or unprocessed returns: If the IRS has not finished processing your prior year’s tax return, use $0. This often happens with paper returns or filings with errors.
  
  
• Filing status changes: If you were married filing jointly last year and filing separately this year, use your individual AGI from the joint return. If you were single and now married, use your single AGI.
  
  
• Amended returns: Always use the AGI from your original return, not Form 1040-X.
  
  
• Alternative option: If you used a Self-Select PIN when you e-filed last year, you may use the same five-digit number this year instead of AGI.

These exceptions help the IRS validate returns when the usual AGI entry does not apply.

How AGI Affects Tax Benefits

Adjusted gross income directly impacts the benefits you can claim on your taxes. Because AGI is calculated by taking your gross income and subtracting specific adjustments, it determines your taxable income and influences eligibility for deductions and credits.

Key areas affected by AGI include:

• Child tax credit: Your AGI and filing status determine whether you qualify and how much you receive. Families with higher AGIs may see the credit reduced or phased out.
  
  
• Tax credits: Education credits and income-based credits often use AGI thresholds. Staying under these limits may provide substantial tax savings.
  
  
• Tax deductions: Certain deductions, like medical expenses, are only allowed if they exceed a percentage of AGI. Lowering your AGI can help you qualify.
  
  
• Business expenses: Self-employed individuals reduce AGI by claiming allowable business expenses, which can significantly affect taxable income.
  
  
• Investment income: Dividends and capital gains flow into your gross income and directly impact your adjusted gross income.

By tracking adjustments such as retirement contributions, alimony payments, or student loan interest, taxpayers can manage AGI and potentially reduce their overall tax burden.

Examples of How AGI Is Calculated

Understanding how adjusted gross income is calculated can help taxpayers see how their annual income translates into the number used on Form 1040 line 11. AGI begins with total income, which includes wages, dividends, capital gains, and other income sources. From this gross income, the IRS allows specific adjustments to be subtracted. These adjustments include retirement contributions, student loan interest, certain business expenses, and alimony payments.

For example, a taxpayer with $60,000 in wages, $2,000 in dividends, and $1,000 in capital gains would report a total income of $63,000. If they also contributed $3,000 to a retirement account and paid $1,000 in student loan interest, their adjusted gross income would be $59,000. This adjusted gross income AGI becomes the basis for determining taxable income, deductions, and eligibility for tax credits like the child tax credit.

Seeing AGI in action shows how managing specific adjustments can reduce income tax liability. By keeping accurate tax records and tracking deductions, taxpayers who are self-preparing or using tax software can confidently find their AGI, confirm it against the IRS system, and file an accurate electronic tax return.

Troubleshooting AGI Problems

Even with the correct documents, some taxpayers face issues when their AGI does not match IRS records. This typically results in an error message during file submission.

Common problems include:

• Typing errors, such as including commas or dollar signs instead of entering plain numbers.
  
  
• Using the wrong tax year. For example, when filing a 2024 return, you must use the AGI from your 2023 return.
  
  
• Entering the AGI from an amended return rather than the original.
  
  
• Filing a return that the IRS has not yet processed.

Checklist for resolving AGI mismatch:

• Verify the correct tax year.
  
  
• Check Form 1040 line 11 from your prior year’s tax return.
  
  
• Request a Tax Return Transcript to confirm what the IRS has on record.
  
  
• Use $0 if your return is still being processed.
  
  
• Consider using your Self-Select PIN if available.

If problems continue, you may need to file a paper return. Paper filing bypasses AGI verification, though it takes longer to process. This option ensures your income tax return is filed accurately and on time.

Preparing for Future Tax Filings

Keeping accurate tax records helps you avoid AGI issues in the next tax year. Many taxpayers face problems because they cannot find last year’s adjusted gross income when filing a new electronic tax return. By planning, you can save time and reduce errors.

Practical steps to prepare for future filings:

• Save a PDF copy of your year’s tax return generated by your tax software or preparer.
  
  
• Write down your adjusted gross income and keep it with your financial files.
  
  
• Store supporting documents such as W-2 wages, 1099 forms for dividends or other income, and receipts for business expenses or retirement contributions.
  
  
• Set up or maintain your IRS Online Account for quick transcript access.

Special considerations:

• Students: You may need your AGI for FAFSA verification when applying for financial aid.
  
  
• Small business owners: AGI includes gross income minus certain business expenses, so maintaining organized records ensures accuracy.
  
  
• Immigrants or ITIN filers: Your AGI is calculated similarly for Social Security number holders and must be kept for each tax year.

The correct documents are essential when verifying your adjusted gross income for the prior year. Whether you are self-preparing your electronic tax return or working with tax software, these records ensure the AGI you provide matches what the IRS has on file. Mismatches are one of the most common reasons e-file submissions are rejected, so keeping organized tax records is a simple but powerful way to avoid problems.

Primary Sources for AGI Verification

• Form 1040
  Your AGI always appears on Form 1040, line 11. This form includes total income, such as wages, dividends, capital gains, and other income. Then it subtracts specific adjustments like student loan interest, retirement contributions, alimony payments, or business expenses. The resulting figure is your adjusted gross income, the number used to validate your new year’s tax return.
  
  
• Tax Return Transcript
  If you cannot locate your original Form 1040, the IRS provides transcripts that show the exact AGI it has recorded for you. The Tax Return Transcript is the most reliable option because it displays the return as originally filed. You can request it online, by mail, or by calling the IRS transcript service. Transcripts are especially useful if you changed filing status or switched tax software.

Supporting Income Documents

• W-2 Forms
  These show wages earned from employers, which make up a significant part of gross income. W-2s help confirm the accuracy of the total income listed on your Form 1040.
  
  
• 1099 Forms
  These reports include other income such as dividends, interest, capital gains, freelance earnings, or retirement account distributions. Keeping 1099s is critical because they contribute directly to taxable income.
  
  
• Records of Other Income
  Keep documentation if you had additional earnings, such as rental income, side business revenue, or unemployment compensation. All of this income feeds into your gross income before adjustments are applied.

Adjustment and Deduction Documentation

• Retirement Contribution Records
  Statements from IRAs or workplace retirement accounts show contributions that reduce AGI.
  
  
• Student Loan Interest Statements (Form 1098-E)
  These show interest payments that qualify as specific adjustments to income.
  
  
• Alimony Payment Records
  If applicable, payments made under pre-2019 divorce agreements are deductible and lower AGI.
  
  
• Business Expense Records
  Self-employed taxpayers must maintain receipts and logs of certain business expenses. These deductions reduce adjusted gross income and can significantly change taxable income.

Why These Documents Matter

When filing an electronic tax return, your adjusted gross income acts as an identity check and a financial baseline. Using accurate figures from official documents ensures the IRS system accepts your submission. Without these documents, you risk entering the wrong AGI, which could delay your refund or force you to mail in your year’s tax return instead of filing online.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my AGI from last year?

You can find your AGI from the prior year on Form 1040, line 11 of your tax return. It shows your adjusted gross income (AGI), which is your total income minus specific adjustments such as student loan interest or retirement contributions. If you cannot locate last year’s tax records, request a Tax Return Transcript from the IRS or use tax software that saved your prior return.

Why is adjusted gross income necessary for filing?

Adjusted gross income affects how much income tax you owe and determines eligibility for deductions and tax credits, such as the child tax credit. AGI starts with total revenue, including wages, dividends, capital gains, and other income, and then subtracts certain business expenses or alimony payments. The resulting taxable income decides how much you pay in taxes and whether you qualify for additional savings.

Can AGI change based on filing status?

Yes, filing status influences your adjusted gross income because specific adjustments and deductions apply differently. For example, married filing jointly often results in a higher combined total income but may also unlock larger tax credits and deductions. Self-preparing taxpayers should confirm whether their filing status affects eligibility for benefits such as the child tax credit. Always carefully review your annual income on Form 1040.

What documents show adjusted gross income?

Your AGI is shown on Form 1040 line 11 from the year’s tax return. Tax records, such as a Tax Return Transcript, also display this figure. Supporting documents include W-2s for wages, 1099s for dividends or other income, and proof of specific adjustments like student loan interest or retirement contributions. These records ensure your electronic tax return matches IRS data during e-file validation.

How do tax deductions and credits relate to AGI?

Adjusted gross income determines which tax deductions and tax credits you qualify for. For example, medical deductions apply only if they exceed a percentage of AGI. Education and child tax credit eligibility may also depend on income limits. AGI is calculated from gross income minus specific adjustments, such as retirement contributions and alimony payments, so lowering AGI often improves eligibility for additional savings.

What if my AGI does not match IRS records?

If your adjusted gross income does not match IRS records, your electronic tax return may be rejected during e-file. This often happens if you used an amended return instead of the original or if the prior year’s return is still processing. To fix this, request a Tax Return Transcript, confirm you used the correct tax year, and carefully check Form 1040 line 11.

Does tax software automatically find your AGI?

Most tax software carries AGI from your prior year’s tax return if you filed with the same program. This helps self-prepared taxpayers avoid errors and speeds up e-file processing. However, if you changed software or preparers, you may need to enter adjusted gross income using your tax records manually. Always verify that the AGI matches IRS data to prevent rejection.