How can I e-file a 2021 amended return for 2025 filing season?

I'm really at my wit's end trying to e-file an amended return for 2021. I submitted it through TaxAct last Thursday and got rejected on the federal side almost immediately with this error: IND-031-04 - 'PrimaryPriorYearPIN' or 'PrimaryPriorYearAGIAmt' in the Return Header must match the e-File database. What's super annoying is that my state amended return was accepted without any issues! And I didn't even file taxes in 2019 because I wasn't required to, so I don't understand what "prior year" information they're looking for. Now I'm stuck in this horrible loop trying to figure out where I can successfully e-file another 2021 amended return. TaxAct is now telling me I need to download their desktop software to redo everything, but when I try that, it keeps rejecting my signature and payment date information. I checked the IRS website and it clearly says 2021 amendments can be filed electronically. I was able to do it initially without problems on TaxAct, but now I'm completely stuck. Does anyone know where else I can e-file this? I tried H&R Block online and they're saying I have to mail it in. I really want to get this over with since I owe the IRS around $1,875 and don't want this hanging over my head for the next 6+ months while a paper return gets processed. This has been such a headache and waste of time. All I'm trying to do is PAY the IRS money I owe them! You'd think they'd make that easier!

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19 comments

Sofia Perez

•8M

The error you're receiving is actually pretty common when e-filing amended returns. The "PrimaryPriorYearPIN" or "PrimaryPriorYearAGIAmt" refers to information from your 2020 tax return that the IRS uses to verify your identity when e-filing. Even though you didn't file in 2019, the system is still looking for this verification. When you try to e-file an amended return, the system checks your prior year information against what's in their database. Since you didn't file, there's a mismatch. You actually have several options here: For e-filing, try using TaxSlayer or OLT (OnLine Taxes). Both still support e-filing 2021 amended returns and sometimes handle these verification issues better than other platforms. When prompted for prior year AGI, enter "0" since you didn't file. Some systems will also accept "Did not file" as an option. If you continue having e-file issues, paper filing isn't as terrible as it seems. Send it certified mail, keep copies of everything, and while it will take longer to process, it will get done. The good news is that if you're paying what you owe now, the IRS generally won't penalize you further for the amended return processing time.

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Dmitry Smirnov

•8M

After dealing with a similar issue trying to e-file an amended return, I finally discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it saved me hours of frustration. My issue was almost identical - rejected e-file, confusion about prior year information, and getting stuck in software loops. The thing that was awesome about taxr.ai is that I uploaded my rejection notice and my prior year info, and it immediately identified the exact problem - my AGI was entered in the wrong format. Their system diagnosed exactly what was causing my amended return to be rejected and gave me step-by-step instructions to fix it. The best part was that they have specific pathways for handling amended returns that mainstream tax software doesn't explain well. Might be worth checking out if you're still stuck!

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Dmitry Smirnov

•8M

It doesn't handle the e-filing itself - it analyzes your rejection notices and tax documents to pinpoint exactly what's causing the issue. It gives you specific instructions tailored to your situation that you can then apply in whatever tax software you choose. For amended returns specifically, it highlights the sections causing the rejection and provides the correct input format or values needed. What was helpful in my case was understanding that my prior year verification issue wasn't actually about my AGI but about how my name was formatted differently in the IRS database versus my current filing.

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ElectricDreamer

•8M

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai for my amended return issue. I was initially skeptical, but after struggling with TurboTax for days trying to e-file a 2021 amended return (kept getting rejected for similar verification issues), I gave it a shot. I uploaded my rejection notice and previous year's return, and within minutes it identified that my issue was related to how my address was formatted - I had moved mid-year in 2020 and the IRS database had my old address format, which was causing the verification to fail. Following their specific instructions, I was able to successfully e-file through TaxSlayer by using a specific format for my address that matched what the IRS had on file. Saved me from having to mail in my forms and wait months for processing!

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Miguel Diaz

•8M

If you're still struggling with getting through to the IRS about this e-file issue, I had a similar nightmare scenario last month. After days of calling and failing to reach anyone, I discovered Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and was honestly shocked it actually worked. They have this system where they navigate the IRS phone tree for you and call you back when an actual agent is on the line. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was super skeptical, but it saved me about 3 hours of hold time, and I was able to talk to an IRS representative who gave me a special override code for my e-file rejection. The agent explained exactly what was causing my amended return to be rejected and provided the steps to fix it. Definitely worth considering if you need to speak with someone at the IRS directly about your specific situation.

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Miguel Diaz

•8M

From using Claimyr to getting the call back with an actual IRS agent on the line took about 45 minutes for me. I used it around 10am on a Tuesday, which might have helped with timing. I've heard it can take longer during peak hours or on Mondays. It doesn't jump the queue or use backdoor numbers - it just automates the process of navigating the phone tree and waiting on hold. Think of it like having someone else wait on hold for you, and they call you when they reach a human. They use the same public IRS numbers everyone else does, but their system keeps trying different pathways simultaneously until one connects.

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Connor Byrne

•8M

I need to eat some humble pie here. After being skeptical about Claimyr in my previous comment, I was desperate enough to try it yesterday after spending THREE HOURS on hold with the IRS only to get disconnected. I used Claimyr around 1pm, and about 70 minutes later got a call back with an actual IRS agent ready to help. The agent reviewed my amended return rejection and explained that because I hadn't filed in 2019, I needed to enter a specific code in the PIN field rather than trying to use an AGI amount. The agent stayed on the line while I made the correction in TaxSlayer and attempted to e-file again. It went through successfully! That would've never happened if I'd continued trying to solve this on my own. Sometimes you need to actually speak to someone at the IRS to get past these technical blocks.

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Yara Abboud

•8M

Another option worth considering is contacting a local Taxpayer Advocate Service office. When I had an amended return issue similar to yours, they were able to help navigate the technical problems with e-filing. The service is free, and they have specific authority to resolve filing issues. You can find your local office at https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/contact-us/ Just be aware that they're also very busy during tax season, so there might be a wait to get an appointment.

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Yara Abboud

•8M

When I contacted them in February last year, it took about 10 days to get an appointment. However, for urgent issues like filing problems, they sometimes have expedited options. I'd recommend calling them first to explain your specific situation. Even if there's a wait, they can often give you preliminary guidance over the phone that might help with your immediate e-filing problem. In my case, they were able to tell me exactly what information the IRS system was looking for, which helped me e-file successfully before my actual appointment.

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