E-File Keeps Rejecting Due to AGI Mismatch Despite Using Transcript Amount

This is a common issue during the 2024 filing season, especially since March 15th when the IRS updated their verification systems. The AGI they're looking for is actually from your 2022 return (filed in 2023), not your 2023 transcript. As of April 2nd, I've seen several cases where even the correct 2022 AGI was rejected due to system synchronization issues. Try using $0 as your prior year AGI if you've made multiple failed attempts already - the IRS specifically recommended this workaround on March 28th for persistent rejection cases.

I faced this EXACT e-file rejection scenario last week. After three failed submission attempts using my transcript AGI, I used taxr.ai to analyze my transcripts. The system immediately identified that my 2022 return had been adjusted by the IRS, creating a discrepancy between my filed AGI and what appeared on my transcript. The taxr.ai analysis highlighted the specific adjustment code and explained why my e-file was being rejected. Once I used the original filed amount instead of the adjusted amount, my return was accepted within minutes. You can check it out at https://taxr.ai - saved me hours of frustration trying to figure out which AGI number to use.

I experienced this rejection issue back in February. My 2022 return had been amended, and I kept using the amended AGI when I should have been using the original. I remember calling the IRS and waiting 2.5 hours just to get this simple answer. The agent explained that the e-file verification system specifically looks for the original filed AGI from 2022, not any subsequent adjustments. If you filed through the same software last year, try retrieving your return from there instead of using the transcript amount.

Let me guess - you had an adjustment to your 2022 return? 😅 Same boat here! The IRS changed my student loan interest deduction last year which modified my AGI by $212. When I kept using the transcript number (the adjusted one), it rejected every time. The magic solution? I used the AGI from my ACTUAL 2022 TAX RETURN that I submitted, not what ended up on my transcript after their adjustments. Saved myself $40 in re-filing fees by figuring this out before paying my preparer to submit a third time!

After my fifth rejection for this exact AGI issue, I was ready to throw my laptop out the window. Called the regular IRS line and couldn't get through for days. Finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to connect with an IRS agent. Got through in about 15 minutes instead of endless redials. The agent confirmed there was a known issue with their system where transcript AGIs weren't matching their verification database for certain taxpayers who had adjustments. She manually verified my identity and gave me a special PIN to use instead of my AGI. Not cheap, but after wasting 3 days trying to get through myself, it was worth every penny to finally get my return accepted.

I solved this same problem last month. Here's what worked for me: • First, I verified I was using 2022's AGI (not 2023) • Then I checked if my 2022 return had been adjusted by looking at code 290 on that year's transcript • When I saw there was an adjustment, I located my original filed 2022 return • Used the ORIGINAL filed AGI (before IRS adjustments) • For married filing jointly returns, make sure both spouses are using the correct AGI from their respective 2022 returns if they filed separately that year If all else fails, try entering $0 as your prior year AGI. The IRS system sometimes resets verification requirements after multiple failed attempts.