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 2020 AGI instead of the prior year 2019 AGI. You must use the original amount from the 2019 Form 1040 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 2019 AGI amount (the entire original AGI; do not split the amount in half).

The AGI you should use to sign your 2020 return can be found on the Line 8b your 2019 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 2020 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 2019 self-select PIN.
• Your 2019 self-select PIN (step 2 below) is the five-digit number you used to sign the 2019 return if you filed electronically.

Once you have access to your 2019 AGI, 2019 PIN, and 2020 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 (2019) information. Make the following applicable change - (be sure to clear any imported information from any unused fields):
   • Enter your corrected 2019 AGI in the appropriate field, or
   • Enter your 2019 PIN in the appropriate field.
3. On the electronic signature screen, enter a 2020 self-select 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 2019 AGI to sign your return, or to use your prior year PIN, click I have access to my 2019 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 in 2019 and have verified the correct AGI from Line 8b of your 2019 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 2019 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 2019 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 2019 tax return on the screen titled E-Filing - Prior Year Information. If you are married filing jointly and only one spouse filed a 2019 return, you should enter the prior year 2019 AGI for that spouse and zero (0) for the spouse who has not filed before.

If your 2019 AGI was zero, you should use 0 (zero) as your prior year 2019 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 2019 AGI from their respective prior year returns.

If the change is from Married Filing Jointly, then both taxpayers will use the same original 2019 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 2019 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 2019 AGI amount from the copy of your 2019 return saved at the time you e-filed.
2. Enter that amount in your 2020 return filing steps for the prior-year AGI amount.

Related Links

• Most Common E-File Error and Rejection Codes
• IRS Reject Codes - IND-031-04 and IND-032-04