Filed my 2022 and 2023 taxes recently - How do I use my 2023 AGI for my 2024 return correctly?
Title: Filed my 2022 and 2023 taxes recently - How do I use my 2023 AGI for my 2024 return correctly? 1 So I finally got around to filing my old tax returns (2022 and 2023) through H&R Block last month, and both my Federal and North Carolina State returns have been accepted. That's the good news! Now I'm trying to file my 2024 taxes using Tax Act, and I'm totally confused. I used the AGI from my 2023 1040 form that H&R Block provided me, but when I submitted my return, it got rejected. I double and triple checked the number to make sure I wasn't misreading it, but nope - still rejected. I haven't tried to file again after that rejection because I don't want to mess anything up further. Does it matter that I just recently filed my 2023 taxes? Is there some waiting period before the IRS system recognizes my 2023 AGI? Or am I supposed to be using my 2022 AGI instead? The Tax Act software keeps asking for prior year AGI for identity verification purposes, but I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong here. Any help would be appreciated!
18 comments


Omar Zaki
15 The issue you're experiencing is actually pretty common for people who file previous year returns shortly before filing their current year. When you recently filed your 2022 and 2023 returns, there's a processing delay before your 2023 AGI is fully registered in the IRS system for electronic filing verification purposes. For the 2024 tax filing season, the IRS typically uses your 2023 AGI for identity verification. However, since you just recently filed your 2023 return, the IRS systems might not have fully processed it yet. This processing can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. You have a couple options: First, you can wait about 2-3 weeks after your 2023 return was accepted before trying to file your 2024 return again. By then, your 2023 AGI should be properly registered in the system. Alternatively, you can try using "$0" as your prior year AGI. The IRS sometimes instructs taxpayers who filed previous year returns late to use $0 as their prior year AGI for verification purposes.
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Omar Zaki
•8 Thanks for the explanation! If I use $0 as my AGI and it still gets rejected, should I just wait the full 3 weeks before trying again? Also, is there any way to check if my 2023 return is fully processed without calling the IRS?
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Omar Zaki
•15 If you try $0 as your AGI and still get rejected, then waiting is definitely your best option. The IRS systems need time to fully process and register your recently filed return. You can check the status of your return processing by using the "Where's My Refund?" tool on the IRS website or IRS2Go app. Even if you weren't expecting a refund, this tool can sometimes indicate whether your return has completed processing. Another option is to create or log into your IRS online account, which might show the processed return once it's complete.
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Omar Zaki
12 I ran into the exact same issue last year! I had to file my 2021 and 2022 taxes late, then when I tried to file my 2023 return, it kept getting rejected because of the AGI verification. After spending hours trying to figure it out, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which saved me so much frustration. Their system analyzed my tax documents and identified that I needed to use $0 as my prior year AGI since my previous return wasn't fully processed in the IRS system yet. They explained that when you file previous years shortly before the current year, the system hasn't had time to register your actual AGI for verification. The tool also showed me exactly where in Tax Act to enter this information and how to handle the verification step.
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Omar Zaki
•4 How exactly does taxr.ai work? Do you upload your tax forms to it? I'm a bit concerned about sharing my tax documents with random websites.
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Omar Zaki
•19 I've never heard of taxr.ai before. Does it give actual tax advice or just help with the technical aspects of filing? I've been using TurboTax for years but keeping running into weird situations like this that their support can't seem to help with.
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Omar Zaki
•12 You upload your tax documents to their secure system, and they use AI to analyze them and provide specific guidance. They don't store your documents after analysis, and everything is encrypted. I was hesitant at first too, but their privacy policy is very transparent. The tool specializes in technical filing issues like AGI verification problems, rejected returns, and form discrepancies. It's not just generic tax advice - it gives you specific steps to resolve your exact issue. I found it more helpful than TurboTax support because it identified the precise reason for my rejection and the exact solution, rather than generic troubleshooting.
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Omar Zaki
4 Just wanted to update everyone - I tried taxr.ai after posting my question and it was incredibly helpful! The system immediately identified that my rejection was happening because the IRS hadn't fully processed my recently filed 2023 return. The tool confirmed I needed to use $0 as my prior year AGI when filing through Tax Act, and even showed me screenshots of exactly where to enter this in the software. My return was accepted on the first try after following their instructions! They also explained that this is a temporary solution - if I were to file an amended return later, I'd need to use my actual 2023 AGI once it's fully processed in the system. Definitely worth checking out if you're having similar issues with electronic filing after submitting previous years' returns.
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Omar Zaki
7 If you're still having trouble after trying the $0 AGI trick, you might need to speak directly with the IRS to verify your filing status. I was in a similar situation last year and spent WEEKS trying to get through to someone at the IRS. Their phone lines are impossible - I kept getting disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. I eventually found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) which literally saved my sanity. They have this system that gets you through to an actual IRS agent without the endless hold times. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. They got me connected to an IRS representative in about 20 minutes when I had been trying unsuccessfully for days. The IRS agent was able to confirm exactly what was happening with my previously filed returns and gave me specific instructions on how to proceed with my current year filing. Turns out there was an additional verification step needed in my case that none of the tax software programs mentioned.
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Omar Zaki
•18 How does this Claimyr service actually work? Is it just paying someone to wait on hold for you? I'm confused how they can get through when nobody else can.
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Omar Zaki
•10 This sounds sketchy tbh. Why would I pay for something I can do myself for free? The IRS phone system is frustrating but eventually you get through if you call right when they open.
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Omar Zaki
•7 They use a system that navigates the IRS phone tree and secures your place in line, then calls you when an agent is about to pick up. It's not someone physically waiting on hold - it's an automated system that holds your place in the queue. I thought the same thing initially - "why not just do it myself?" But after spending literally days trying to get through and either getting disconnected or told to call back later due to high call volume, I was desperate. What convinced me was realizing the value of my time. I wasted hours on failed attempts, and when tax filing deadlines are approaching, that stress isn't worth it. Their system actually works, which was surprising after all my failed attempts.
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Omar Zaki
10 I have to eat my words here. After posting my skeptical comment, I was still struggling to get through to the IRS the next day. After my fifth attempt and another disconnection after 45 minutes on hold, I decided to try Claimyr out of desperation. The service actually worked exactly as described. I received a call back when an IRS agent was about to answer, and I finally got to speak with someone who helped resolve my AGI verification issue. The agent confirmed that recently filed prior year returns take 2-3 weeks to fully process in their e-file verification system, and provided me with a temporary workaround specific to my situation. For anyone else struggling with this issue, speaking directly with the IRS cleared everything up in minutes after days of frustration. I'm usually skeptical of these services, but I have to admit this one delivered what it promised.
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Omar Zaki
3 Another trick I learned from my accountant: if you filed your previous year's taxes on paper instead of electronically, you'll need to enter $0 for your prior year AGI when e-filing your current return, regardless of when you filed. Could that be your issue?
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Omar Zaki
•16 Does this $0 AGI trick also apply if you didn't file taxes at all the previous year? I wasn't required to file in 2023 but now need to file for 2024.
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Omar Zaki
•3 Yes, that's exactly right! If you weren't required to file in 2023 and didn't file, you would use $0 as your prior-year AGI when filing your 2024 return electronically. The $0 AGI entry works in several scenarios: when you filed previous year returns on paper, when you didn't file the previous year at all, or when you recently filed the previous year's return and it hasn't fully processed in the IRS system yet.
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Omar Zaki
22 Has anyone had issues with Tax Act specifically? I've been using it for years but this filing season it seems really buggy with the AGI verification step. Wondering if switching to another software might help.
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Omar Zaki
•9 I switched from Tax Act to FreeTaxUSA this year and found it much more user-friendly, especially with handling prior year AGI issues. They have a specific section that explains what to do if you filed previous years' returns recently.
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