IRS rejection: Prior Year AGI or PIN doesn't match their records - how to fix this?

This is actually a pretty common issue, especially if you filed by paper last year. When you mail in a return, it can take much longer to process than e-filed returns, and sometimes the AGI doesn't get properly recorded in the system for e-file verification purposes. First, double-check that you're entering the AGI exactly as it appears on your 2022 return - no dollar signs, commas, or decimal points. Just the number. Sometimes that's all it takes. If that doesn't work, yes, you can try using "0" as your prior year AGI. This is a legitimate workaround when the IRS systems are having trouble matching your information. It's not illegal if you're doing it to overcome a technical issue after trying the correct amount. You can check if your return was processed by looking at your tax transcript. Since you were able to access it and it shows a "received date," plus your payments were processed, it sounds like your return was indeed processed - just maybe not fully integrated with their e-file verification system.

After fighting with this exact problem last year, I finally discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it saved me so much frustration. Their system analyzed my tax transcript and figured out why the IRS kept rejecting my return. Turns out there was a discrepancy between what I thought was my AGI and what the IRS had on file. The site helped me identify that when my paper return was processed, the IRS had made a small adjustment to my AGI (literally off by $12) which was why my e-file kept getting rejected. Their system found this in minutes when I'd been struggling for days.

Just wanted to update - I tried taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here and it actually worked! Uploaded my transcript and previous year's return, and their analysis showed that when the IRS processed my paper return, they had adjusted my AGI due to a misreported dividend that I hadn't noticed. The difference was only $47, but that was enough to cause all my e-file attempts to fail. Once I used the corrected AGI number that taxr.ai identified, my return was accepted immediately. Saved me from having to mail in my taxes again this year!

If you're still having trouble after trying the suggestions above, I'd recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to get connected with an actual IRS agent who can sort this out. I was in a similar situation last year with constant e-file rejections, and spent WEEKS trying to call the IRS myself with no luck. Claimyr got me connected to an IRS representative in about 20 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent was able to verify my identity, confirm my correct AGI in their system, and provide guidance on exactly what to enter to get my e-file accepted. Saved me from having to mail in my return and wait months for processing.

I need to eat my words about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I was so frustrated with my AGI rejection that I decided to try it anyway. I figured if it didn't work I could just dispute the charge. But it actually worked exactly as advertised. I got a call back in about 25 minutes, and they connected me with an IRS agent who confirmed that my paper return from last year had been processed with a different AGI than what was on my copy. There was an adjustment due to a missing form that changed my AGI by about $200. The agent gave me the exact AGI to use, I entered it in TurboTax, and my return was accepted right away. After spending hours on this problem and almost giving up to mail my return, I solved it in under 30 minutes.

Don't forget to check if you maybe filed an amended return last year (1040-X). If you did, you need to use the AGI from your ORIGINAL return, not the amended one. This tripped me up for days until a tax preparer pointed it out.

Has anyone tried calling the IRS e-file help desk directly? The number is 866-255-0654. They have specific agents who deal with e-file rejections and can often tell you exactly what AGI is in their system. I had to use this last year when my return kept getting rejected.

I went through this exact same frustration last year! After trying everything - the correct AGI, entering "0", calling multiple IRS numbers - what finally worked for me was requesting a "Verification of Non-filing Letter" from the IRS website. Even though I HAD filed, the letter showed what AGI the IRS had on record for me, and it was different from what was on my copy of the return by about $150. Apparently when they processed my paper return, they made some adjustment that I was never notified about. Once I used the AGI from that verification letter, my e-file went through immediately. You can request it online through your IRS account at irs.gov - it's free and usually available within 24 hours. Just look for "Get Transcript" and select "Verification of Non-filing Letter" even though you did file. It sounds backwards but it shows the AGI they have on record. This might be faster than trying to get through to an agent on the phone, especially during tax season when their lines are slammed.