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Resolving Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) error codes in TaxAct
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The taxpayer's prior year Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) amount is used as an electronic signature for the e-filed return. This information helps the IRS confirm the identity of the person filing the return. Error codes beginning with "IND-031" and "IND-032" are issued when the AGI entered by the taxpayer does not match the information in the IRS e-file database.

These errors commonly occur when the taxpayer has used the current year AGI instead of the prior year AGI. You must use the original amount from the U.S. Individual Income Tax Return to sign this year's return. If you filed a joint return last year, each spouse must separately enter the same prior year AGI amount (the entire original AGI; do not split the amount in half).

The AGI you should use to sign your current year return can be found on Line 11 of your prior year return (round this amount to the nearest whole dollar).

Note. There are two different PINs related to electronic filing. To avoid confusion, keep the following distinctions in mind:

  • Your self-select PIN (step 3 below) is a five-digit number you choose to sign this year's return. You must enter this PIN to file electronically. This "signature" is authenticated using your prior year AGI or your prior year self-selected PIN.
  • Your self-select PIN (step 2 below) is the five-digit number you used to sign the prior year return if you filed electronically.

Once you have access to your prior year AGI, prior year PIN, and current year self-select PIN, you can use the following steps to review and resubmit your return at no charge:

  1. From within your TaxAct return (Online or Desktop), click Filing to expand, then click E-File Return (on smaller devices, click in the upper left-hand corner, then click Filing).
  2. Continue through the screens until you are prompted to enter prior year information. Make the following applicable change - (be sure to clear any imported information from any unused fields):
    • Enter your corrected prior year AGI in the appropriate field, or
    • Enter your prior year PIN in the appropriate field.
  3. On the electronic signature screen, enter a self-selected PIN using any five numbers. Be sure to enter one for your spouse if applicable. This PIN can be different from what you used to e-file initially.
  4. Continue through the remaining screens and click Submit to complete the e-filing process. After you have successfully e-filed, you will see a confirmation screen. If you don't see this screen, it means your return was not e-filed and you will need to repeat these steps.

If you choose to correct your prior year AGI to sign your return, or to use your prior year PIN, click I have access to my 20YY tax return and enter the information in the appropriate field(s).

After e-filing your return, please wait 24-48 hours to check your e-file status via the TaxAct E-File and Tax Refund Status webpage. If you have questions or need more information, please contact TaxAct Service & Support for free assistance. If only the federal or state return is rejected, you do not need to resubmit the accepted return. If your state requires you to file piggyback, you will need to resubmit both returns after you have made corrections.

What if I filed my return after the filing deadline last year?

If you e-filed last year and have verified the correct AGI from Line 11 of your prior year return (and are not entering a PIN) and still get rejected, try clicking I am a first-time filer or I did NOT file a 20YY tax return on the screen titled E-Filing - Prior Year Information.

What if I mailed my return last year (did not e-file)?

If you paper-filed your return last year, click I am a first-time filer or I did NOT file a 20YY tax return on the screen titled E-Filing - Prior Year Information.

What if I did not file a return with the IRS last year?

If you have never filed before or you filed last year using an ITIN and have an SSN this year, click I am a first-time filer or I did NOT file a 20YY tax return on the screen titled E-Filing - Prior Year Information. If you are married filing jointly and only one spouse filed a prior year return, you should enter the prior year AGI for that spouse and zero (0) for the spouse who has not filed before.

If your prior year AGI was zero, you should use 0 (zero) as your prior year prior year AGI when e-filing.

What do I use for the original AGI if my filing status has changed since last year?

If your filing status changed from the previous year to Married Filing Jointly, then each taxpayer will use their individual original prior year AGI from their respective prior year returns.

If the change is from Married Filing Jointly, then both taxpayers will use the same original prior year AGI from last year's joint tax return.

What AGI or PIN do I use if I filed jointly with a different spouse last year?

If you filed jointly with a different spouse in the previous year, use the total prior year AGI amount from the joint return filed with the ex-spouse.

I imported last year's information - how can my AGI be wrong?

This can happen if you made any changes to your return after e-filing last year, but before importing this year. If that situation applies to you, follow these steps:

  1. Obtain the correct prior year AGI amount from the copy of your prior year return saved at the time you e-filed.
  2. Enter that amount in your current year return filing steps for the prior-year AGI amount.

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