You're sitting there, staring at a tax software screen or a mortgage application, and it hits you. You need that one specific number. Your Adjusted Gross Income. Or, as the IRS likes to call it, your AGI. It feels like one of those things you should just know, but honestly, who actually memorizes line 11 from their 1040? Finding out your AGI from last year doesn't have to be a scavenger hunt through a dusty filing cabinet.
Most people start panicking because they think they lost their only copy. Relax. The IRS actually has a pretty decent paper trail for this stuff. Whether you’re trying to e-file this year’s return and need last year’s number for verification, or you’re just curious why your bank is asking for it, getting that figure is straightforward if you know where to look.
Where to Look First: The "Easy" Spots
If you used a service like TurboTax, H&R Block, or FreeTaxUSA last year, start there. Log in. Seriously. They keep your returns for years because they know you’ll forget this stuff. You’re looking for a PDF of your Form 1040. Once you open it, scan down to Line 11. That’s the magic number.
Wait. It might be Line 8b if you’re looking at much older forms, but for any recent filing, Line 11 is your goal.
What if you didn't use an online service? Maybe you went to a local CPA or a guy in a strip mall who knows his way around a spreadsheet. Check your email. Search for "Tax Return" or "1040." If you have a physical folder labeled "Taxes" (bless your soul), it’s in there. If none of that works, we have to go to the source. The Big House. The IRS.
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Using the IRS Online Account (The Fastest Way)
The IRS has actually dragged itself into the 21st century. Sorta. You can create an account on IRS.gov. They use a third-party service called ID.me for verification. It’s a bit of a pain—you’ll need to take a selfie and upload your driver’s license—but once you’re in, it’s a goldmine.
- Go to the IRS "Your Online Account" page.
- Sign in with ID.me.
- Look for the "Tax Records" section.
- Click on "Get Transcript."
You want the Tax Return Transcript. This document shows most line items from your original tax return as it was processed. Your AGI will be listed right there. It’s free. It’s instant once you pass the identity check. And it beats waiting for the mail.
When the Internet Fails: The Paper Trail
Sometimes the ID.me thing just won't work. Maybe your phone camera is cracked, or the system just doesn't like your face today. It happens. Don't worry. You can still get your transcript via mail.
You'll want to use the "Get Transcript by Mail" tool on the IRS website. You provide your Social Security Number, date of birth, and the mailing address from your last return. They’ll send it to that address within 5 to 10 business days. It’s slow. It’s old school. But it works when you’re stuck in a digital loop.
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What is AGI, anyway?
Let’s get nerdy for a second. Your AGI isn’t just your total salary. It’s your total income minus specific "adjustments." These are things like student loan interest, educator expenses, or contributions to a traditional IRA.
Why does the IRS care so much about this specific number? Because it's the gateway. It determines your eligibility for certain tax credits, like the Child Tax Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit. It's the baseline for your taxable income. If your AGI is high, you lose out on some perks. If it’s lower, you might get a bigger refund.
Dealing with the "Identity Verification" Wall
If you are trying to e-file and the system rejects your return because your AGI doesn't match, you aren't alone. This is the most common reason for a rejected e-file. If you filed a late return last year or an amended return, the "official" AGI in the IRS system might be different than what you think it is.
Pro tip: If you amended your return (Form 1040-X), do not use the AGI from the amended version for verification. Use the AGI from the original return you filed. The IRS computers are picky. They want the first number they saw, not the corrected one.
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If you didn't file a return at all last year, your AGI for verification purposes is usually $0.
The Form 4506-T Method
There is a "nuclear option" if you need a full, certified copy of your entire return, not just a transcript. This is Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return. It costs $30. It takes up to 75 days. Honestly, unless a court or a very specific legal entity is demanding a literal photocopy of your signed 1040, you don't need this. Stick to the transcript. It's free and has all the data points you actually need.
Specific Scenarios for 2026
If you're looking at your 2024 or 2025 data to prepare for the current season, remember that some COVID-era adjustments have completely phased out. Your AGI might look higher than it did a few years ago simply because those "above-the-line" deductions aren't there to shrink it anymore.
Also, keep an eye on your 1099-K forms. If you’ve been selling stuff on eBay or taking Venmo payments for a side hustle, that income hits your AGI. The threshold for reporting changed, and while the IRS delayed the $600 rule a few times, by now, most of that digital cash is being tracked. If you forgot to report it last year, your AGI on your transcript might be higher than you expected because the IRS did the math for you.
How Can I Find Out My AGI From Last Year Without a Computer?
If you're completely offline, you can call the IRS at 800-908-9946. It’s an automated system for ordering transcripts. You’ll have to navigate a maze of touch-tone menus. Be patient. Have your SSN and address ready. It’s basically the "Get Transcript by Mail" tool but over the phone.
Summary of Actionable Steps
- Check your digital footprints. Log into the tax software you used last year. This is 90% of the battle.
- Pull an IRS Transcript. Use the IRS.gov "Get Transcript" tool for an immediate PDF if you can pass the ID.me verification.
- Find Line 11. On a standard Form 1040, your Adjusted Gross Income is almost always on Line 11.
- Use the $0 trick. If you didn't file last year, enter $0 as your AGI for e-filing verification.
- Don't use amended numbers. If you changed your return later in the year, the IRS verification system usually still wants the AGI from the original filing.
Once you have that number, write it down somewhere safe. Or better yet, save a PDF of your return to a secure cloud drive so you aren't doing this again next January. It's one of those minor administrative hurdles that feels like a mountain until you realize the map is right in front of you.