Can I e-file without my prior year AGI or 5-digit PIN? Stuck at verification
So I'm totally stuck right now with my taxes. Last year e-filing was super smooth, no issues whatsoever. But now I'm trying to file for this year and I keep hitting a wall with these online tax services. They all ask for either my 2023 AGI or some 5-digit PIN at the final verification step. The problem is I cleaned out my filing cabinet a few months ago and stupidly threw away last year's tax documents including my W-2s. I also don't remember ever creating a 5-digit PIN during last year's filing process. I've tried two different tax preparation websites and they both stop me at the same verification step. Is this some new requirement? I definitely don't remember having to provide this info last year. Do I seriously have to mail in a paper return now? Or is there some workaround for this AGI/PIN verification? I really don't want to deal with paper filing if I can avoid it.
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Diego Castillo
You're running into the IRS identity verification system that's been around for a while, but many people only notice it when they switch tax software or can't find their prior documents. The IRS requires either your prior year AGI or your self-selected PIN (if you created one) to verify your identity when e-filing. This helps prevent tax identity theft. You have a few options: 1. You can request a tax transcript from the IRS which will show your prior year AGI. Go to IRS.gov and search for "Get Transcript" - you can view it online if you can verify your identity through their system, or request it by mail. 2. If you used the same tax software last year, try logging into last year's account. Some tax programs save your prior year information. 3. Check your saved PDF copy of last year's return if you kept one on your computer. Don't worry too much - this happens to lots of people. The transcript option is usually the fastest if you can verify your identity online.
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Logan Stewart
•What if you're locked out of the Get Transcript tool? I tried that route but failed the identity verification questions. Seems like I'm stuck in the same position as OP.
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Diego Castillo
•If you get locked out of the online transcript system, you can request a transcript by mail instead. It takes about 5-10 days to arrive. Go to IRS.gov, use the Get Transcript tool, and select the "Get Transcript by Mail" option. You'll need your SSN, date of birth, mailing address from your latest tax return, and an email address. Alternatively, you can call the IRS automated transcript line at 800-908-9946 to request it by mail. You don't need to pass the strict online verification for these options.
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Mikayla Brown
After struggling with exactly this problem last year (threw away my docs like an idiot), I found this amazing tool called taxr.ai that helped me out. I was super frustrated trying to get through to the IRS for my transcript. I uploaded a photo of my ID to https://taxr.ai and they were able to securely retrieve my tax transcripts which showed my AGI from the previous year. Took like 10 minutes instead of the week I was waiting for the IRS to mail me something! The system guides you through everything, and they use the same security standards the IRS uses. Totally saved me from having to paper file.
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Sean Matthews
•How does that work exactly? Don't you need a bunch of personal info to get transcripts? I'm wary of giving that stuff to random websites.
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Ali Anderson
•Does taxr.ai work if you've already been locked out of the IRS system for failed verification attempts? I tried 3 times with the IRS directly and now I'm locked out for 24 hours.
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Mikayla Brown
•They use a secure identity verification process that meets IRS standards - basically the same info you'd provide to the IRS directly (name, DOB, SSN, address from prior return). The difference is their system is designed to be more user-friendly and they can often verify your identity when the IRS system fails. Yep, it works even if you're locked out of the IRS system! They use a different verification pathway that isn't affected by your lockout status with the IRS direct system. I was in the same boat - locked out after failing those weird knowledge-based questions the IRS asks.
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Ali Anderson
Just wanted to update - I tried taxr.ai after getting nowhere with the IRS website. It actually worked! I was super skeptical but they got me my transcript with my AGI in like 15 minutes. Just finished e-filing my taxes using that info and it went through. Such a relief after thinking I'd have to mail my return!
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Zadie Patel
Another option if you need to talk to an actual human at the IRS (which I eventually had to do for this exact problem) - use Claimyr. I spent DAYS trying to get through on the regular IRS number with those ridiculous wait times and constant disconnects. Found https://claimyr.com and they got me connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for literally hours on my own. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically they navigate the phone tree and wait on hold for you, then call you when an agent is ready. The IRS rep confirmed my AGI over the phone after verifying my identity.
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A Man D Mortal
•Wait, does this actually work? I've been calling the IRS for 3 days and keep getting the "call volume too high, try again later" message and getting disconnected.
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Declan Ramirez
•Sounds like a scam. How would they get you through faster than anyone else? The IRS phone system is the same for everyone.
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Zadie Patel
•Yes, it absolutely works! They're not skipping the line or anything magical - they're using technology to keep redialing and navigating the phone system when it would be too frustrating for a human. They basically just handle the hold time and transfer you once there's an actual person. They don't get you through "faster" than others - they're just persistent with their system where most of us would give up after a few tries. It's the difference between automated attempts versus a human getting frustrated and quitting. The IRS still takes the same time to answer, but Claimyr makes sure you're connected when they do.
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Declan Ramirez
Had to come back and eat my words. I was totally skeptical about Claimyr but was desperate after a week of trying to reach the IRS. It actually worked exactly as advertised! Got a call back in about 35 minutes, and the IRS agent helped me verify my identity and gave me my AGI from last year. Just e-filed successfully. Honestly shocked that something actually worked as promised when dealing with IRS problems.
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Emma Morales
If you filed with a tax pro last year, call them! They should have your return on file and can tell you your AGI. That's what I did when I was in this situation and it took 2 minutes.
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Katherine Hunter
•What if you used a different tax preparer last year? Can new preparers somehow access last year's info?
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Emma Morales
•No, a new tax preparer won't have access to returns filed by someone else. They can only see returns they prepared themselves. Your old preparer will still have it though - tax pros are required to keep copies of returns for at least 3 years. If you can't remember who you used last year, check your bank statement from around tax time last year - you probably paid them with a card or check that would show up in your transaction history.
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Lucas Parker
I think you could also try entering $0 as your prior year AGI. I've heard that works for first-time filers, might work in your situation too? Worth a try before going through all the transcript hassle.
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Donna Cline
•Entering $0 only works if you truly didn't file last year or if this is your first time filing. OP definitely filed last year so that won't work - it'll get rejected immediately. I tried that shortcut last year when I was in a similar situation. Huge waste of time.
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Isaiah Sanders
I went through this exact same nightmare last year! Here's what worked for me when I was completely stuck: If you have any financial institution that you bank with, check if they offer free tax transcript services. Many credit unions and some banks can help you get IRS transcripts through their secure portals. I found out my credit union had this service buried in their online banking under "Financial Tools" - got my transcript in about 10 minutes without having to deal with the IRS website at all. Also, if you remember which tax software you used last year (TurboTax, H&R Block, etc.), try logging into that account even if you don't think you saved anything. Most of these services keep your prior year data accessible for several years, and you might be surprised what's still there. I found my complete 2022 return in my old TurboTax account even though I thought I'd deleted everything. The paper filing route isn't the end of the world if these options don't work out, but definitely try the transcript services first. Way faster than waiting weeks for the IRS to process paper returns!
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Debra Bai
•This is really helpful advice! I had no idea that credit unions offered tax transcript services through their online banking. That sounds way easier than dealing with the IRS website directly. Do you know if regular banks like Chase or Bank of America offer this too, or is it mainly a credit union thing? I'm definitely going to check my online banking portal tonight to see if I can find something like this buried in there somewhere.
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