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

I'm hitting a roadblock with my tax filing through TurboTax. My return keeps getting rejected with this error message: "IND-031-04 - The primary taxpayer's AGI or Self-select PIN from last year does not match IRS records." I'm 100% confident I'm entering the correct AGI from my 2023 return (also filed with TurboTax), but it refuses to go through. I've double-checked the number multiple times against my printed copy and what's saved in my TurboTax account. After reading some advice online, I tried checking the IRS transcript page to verify my AGI. When I clicked on the 2023 return transcript link, the system gave me some kind of error message and I couldn't access it. I'm stuck in this loop and can't figure out what's wrong. Has anyone dealt with this IND-031-04 error before? Any suggestions for getting past this? The filing deadline is getting closer and I'm starting to stress out.

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19 comments

Aisha Jackson

•8M

This is actually a pretty common issue this tax season, so don't stress too much! The IRS error code IND-031-04 specifically means there's a mismatch between what you're entering and what the IRS has on file, but there are several ways to resolve this. First, make sure you're using your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from your 2023 tax return, not your total income or taxable income. The AGI can be found on line 11 of your 2022 Form 1040. If you don't have a copy of last year's return, there are other options. If you can't access your transcript online, you can try entering "$0" as your prior year AGI. The IRS specifically advises this for people who are having issues with the IND-031-04 error. This often works for first-time filers or people whose returns from last year may have been delayed or processed after a certain date. You can also try creating a Self-select PIN instead of using your AGI for identity verification. This is a 5-digit number you choose yourself.

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Adrian Connor

•8M

Thanks for the quick response! I tried entering $0 as my AGI like you suggested, but I'm still getting the same error. I definitely filed last year and had a non-zero AGI. My return was filed and accepted around early March last year, so it shouldn't have been delayed processing. I'm not seeing an option to create a Self-select PIN instead of using AGI. Is that something I need to do on the IRS website first, or is it an option somewhere in TurboTax that I'm missing?

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Aisha Jackson

•8M

The option to create a Self-select PIN should be available within TurboTax during the e-filing process. Look for something like "Identity Verification" or "Electronic Signature" sections. If you can't find it, you might need to contact TurboTax support directly to help locate this option in their interface. Another approach is to try ordering your tax transcript by mail if you can't access it online. Go to the IRS website, select "Get Transcript by Mail," and they'll send it to your address of record within 5-10 calendar days. This will show your official AGI according to the IRS.

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Ryder Everingham

•8M

I had this exact same problem last month with the IND-031-04 error! After trying everything including calling the IRS (nightmare), I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it was a game changer. Their system analyzed my rejected return, found the actual problem was that my name had a hyphen in the IRS system but not in my TurboTax entry, and gave me step-by-step instructions to fix it. Before finding that tool, I was stuck in this frustrating loop for days where TurboTax kept saying to use my AGI from last year, but the IRS kept rejecting it with that same error code. Turns out sometimes the issue isn't actually the AGI at all - it can be name formatting, a birthdate entry issue, or even how your address is formatted.

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Ryder Everingham

•8M

The service analyzes just the rejection code and basic info you provide - you don't upload your entire return. You tell it what error you're getting and answer some questions about your situation. It's more of a diagnostic tool that uses AI to figure out the most likely causes based on your specific scenario. It works with any tax software, not just TurboTax. It can diagnose rejection codes from any tax filing service because the error codes come from the IRS, not the software itself. I was skeptical too until I saw how it pinpointed my exact issue when nothing else worked.

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Lilly Curtis

•8M

Just wanted to follow up - I was getting that same IND-031-04 error for weeks and finally tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here. Turns out my issue wasn't the AGI at all! The tool spotted that I had gotten married and changed my last name during the year, but my Social Security card still had my maiden name. The IRS was rejecting my return because my name didn't match their records, but it was being reported as an AGI mismatch error. I followed the instructions to file with my maiden name and it went through immediately! Now I'm handling the name change with SSA separately. Saved me so much frustration and I already got my refund deposited yesterday.

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Lindsey Fry

•8M

If you're still struggling with that IND-031-04 error and can't get anywhere with the transcript system, calling the IRS directly might be your best option. But as someone who tried that route, prepare for hours of waiting or busy signals. I discovered Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) after my fifth attempt to call the IRS led to another dropped call. They have this service that holds your place in the IRS phone queue and calls you when an agent is about to answer. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c When I finally got through to an IRS agent using this, they confirmed my AGI was different in their system than what I thought it was (turns out an amendment had changed it). The agent gave me the correct AGI to use and my return was accepted immediately after that.

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Lindsey Fry

•8M

It's not that they have some special access to the IRS. They use automated technology to dial continuously and navigate the phone tree until they reach a human, then they call you. It's basically just saving you from having to sit by your phone for hours pressing buttons in the IRS phone menu. For me, it took about 90 minutes from when I signed up until I got the call that an agent was available. This was on a Tuesday around 11am. I've heard wait times can be longer during peak hours or on Mondays. Still way better than my previous attempts where I never got through at all!

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Saleem Vaziri

•8M

I'm honestly shocked this worked. After posting my skeptical comment, I was desperate enough to try Claimyr since I was getting the same IND-031-04 error and couldn't get through on the IRS line. Got connected to an IRS rep in about 2 hours (which is a miracle considering I spent days trying on my own). The agent explained that my 2023 return had been adjusted after an audit, so the AGI I was using from my original return wasn't matching their records. She gave me the correct AGI to use, and my return was accepted immediately. Would have never figured this out without actually speaking to someone at the IRS. My refund is already processing now!

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James Maki

•8M

That's a good plan. The transcript will show exactly what the IRS has in their system. Another thing to consider - if you amended your 2023 return at any point, you need to use the AGI from your original return, not the amended one. That trips up a lot of people. Also, if you filed jointly last year but are filing separately this year (or vice versa), that can sometimes cause confusion with which AGI to use. Just something else to consider while waiting for the transcript.

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