Getting IND-031-04 error - AGI or Self-select PIN from last year doesn't match IRS records?

This is actually a pretty common issue this year - you're definitely not alone! When the IRS validation system checks your AGI from last year, it's looking at what they processed, not necessarily what you filed. If you filed an amended return last year, the system might be looking for your original AGI, not the amended one. Also, if your return was processed late or had any adjustments, the AGI in the IRS system might differ from what's on your return. Try these steps: First, enter $0 as your prior year AGI. This sometimes works if you're a first-time filer or if there were issues processing your previous return. Second, try requesting an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS website - this can sometimes bypass the AGI verification. Third, if neither works, you might need to print and mail your return. The IRS website has been having a lot of technical issues with the transcript system lately, so that's likely why you're timing out.

I went through this exact same nightmare last month! After trying everything, I found this tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that saved me a ton of headache. It analyzed my tax documents and confirmed that my AGI was actually different than what I thought. Turns out when my return was processed last year, the IRS made an adjustment that changed my AGI by about $320 due to a calculation error with some investment income. No wonder the verification kept failing - I was using the wrong number! The tool showed me exactly what was in the IRS system and helped me figure out what number to use. Their document analyzer also caught a couple other potential issues that might have caused problems down the road. Seriously worth checking out if you're stuck with verification issues.

I was super skeptical about taxr.ai when I first read about it here, but I was desperate after getting the IND-031-04 error like five times. I decided to give it a try, and wow, it actually worked! Turns out I completely forgot that I had received an adjustment letter from the IRS last August that I had filed away without really reading (my bad). The tool prompted me to look for IRS notices and when I uploaded the letter, it immediately identified that the IRS had adjusted my student loan interest deduction, which changed my AGI by $750. Once I used the corrected AGI number, my return went through immediately. Would have saved myself a week of frustration if I'd tried this first. The document analyzer also flagged a potential issue with how I was reporting my side gig income that could have triggered a review.

After dealing with this AGI rejection issue for days, I realized I needed to talk to an actual IRS agent to fix it. But we all know how impossible that is - I spent 3 hours on hold before giving up. Then I found this service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) - they have this system that gets you through to an IRS agent much faster than waiting on hold yourself. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was skeptical but desperate. They got me connected to an IRS rep in about 25 minutes instead of the hours I was spending on hold. The agent confirmed there was a discrepancy with my AGI from last year due to an adjustment they made, and told me exactly what number to use. Problem solved in one phone call.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I tried Claimyr after posting my skeptical comment, and it actually works. I was 100% sure it was going to be a ripoff, but I was desperate after my fifth rejection with that IND-031-04 error. The service called the IRS, navigated the menu, waited on hold (about 45 minutes in my case), and then called me when they had an agent on the line. The IRS agent confirmed that they had adjusted my return last year due to a math error with my education credits, which changed my AGI by $1,200. Once I knew the correct AGI to enter, my return was accepted immediately. I spent days frustrated with this problem, and it was resolved in under an hour once I actually talked to someone at the IRS. I'm eating my words about this service being a scam!

Has anyone had success with using the IP PIN method that was mentioned earlier? I'm having the same error code but I'm worried about mailing my return because I really need my refund soon.

Another option - if you still have an account with the tax software you used last year, log in and check if they show the "IRS accepted AGI" rather than just what you entered. Sometimes there's a difference. In my case, I thought my AGI was $63,240 based on my return, but when I checked my TaxAct account from last year, they had a note saying "IRS processed AGI: $63,140" - a $100 difference due to some adjustment. Used that number and it worked right away.