Need Help! Repeatedly Getting Reject Code IND-031-04 When E-filing

This is actually a very common problem that many taxpayers face during filing season! The rejection code IND-031-04 specifically means there's a mismatch between the AGI you're entering and what the IRS has in their system. First thing to try - if you filed your taxes electronically last year, enter "0" as your prior year AGI. The IRS started allowing this as an alternative verification method, and it works for many people. If that doesn't work, there are three other possible issues: 1) Your tax preparer might have amended your return last year and the AGI changed, 2) There could have been an IRS adjustment to your return that you weren't aware of, or 3) Your name/SSN combination might be different from last year (which could happen with marriage/divorce situations). Your best bet is to request a tax transcript from the IRS. You can get it online through the IRS website at www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript or by calling the automated phone number. The transcript will show the AGI that the IRS actually has on file for you.

I had this EXACT same problem last month and was ready to throw my computer out the window! After trying everything, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it literally saved my sanity. I uploaded my previous year's return to their system and it analyzed exactly what was wrong. Turns out the IRS had actually adjusted my AGI after I filed last year due to a calculation error with some investment income, and I had no idea! Their system gave me the correct AGI number to use for verification, explained why it was different from what was on my paper form, and my return was accepted on the next try. They also clarified some deduction questions I had without me even having to ask.

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here, and it actually worked! The system identified that my AGI was different because I had received an adjustment letter from the IRS that I completely forgot about. They showed me exactly where to find the corrected AGI number on that notice. Filed successfully on the first try after that! Definitely recommend for anyone getting stuck in these verification loops. It saved me from having to file by paper which would have delayed my refund by weeks.

Another option if you're still having trouble - I've been in that IRS rejection loop before and gave up trying to get through to the IRS phone line (was on hold for 2+ hours and got disconnected). Then I found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) which got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes. They have this cool demo video here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent was able to tell me exactly what my AGI was showing in their system and why it was different from my forms. In my case, there had been an adjustment made to my return that I never received notification about because it went to my old address.

Wanted to eat crow publicly after my skeptical comment earlier. I was desperate after my THIRD rejection so I tried Claimyr. Got a call back in about 25 minutes with an actual IRS agent on the line. Turns out my 2023 return had been adjusted due to a math error on my student loan interest deduction, which changed my AGI by about $750. The agent gave me the exact AGI figure to use, and my return was finally accepted! Never would have figured this out on my own because I never received the adjustment notice they supposedly sent.

Another tip is to check if you used the Economic Impact Payment (stimulus) correctly last year. That can sometimes cause AGI issues when the IRS reconciles the payments. I found this out the hard way and had to paper file last year 😩

If you're still having problems, try filing with a different tax software. I switched from TaxAct to FreeTaxUSA after having similar rejection issues and it worked immediately. Sometimes different tax programs handle the verification process slightly differently.

I went through this exact same nightmare last year! After getting rejected multiple times with IND-031-04, I discovered the issue was that the IRS had made an automatic adjustment to my return that I never knew about. Here's what worked for me: I called the IRS Practitioner Priority Service line (though I'm not a practitioner, they sometimes transfer regular taxpayers). The agent told me that when you get remarried, sometimes the IRS systems take time to sync up all the name/SSN changes, which can cause verification issues even when your AGI is correct. In your case, since you mentioned getting remarried, try using your maiden name exactly as it appeared on last year's return when entering your information, even if you've legally changed it since then. The IRS verification system might still be looking for the old name-SSN combination. Also, double-check that you're not accidentally including any estimated tax payments or withholding amounts in your AGI figure - it should be just the bottom line AGI from last year's Form 1040, line 11. If none of that works, definitely get that transcript. It's frustrating but it's the only way to see exactly what the IRS has on file versus what you think you filed.