Need to find my 2019 AGI - IRS Calling Options?

You have several options to retrieve your 2019 AGI: • Order a tax transcript online through the IRS website (fastest method) • Use the Get Transcript Online tool at IRS.gov/transcripts • Request a transcript by mail (takes 5-10 business days) • Call the automated transcript line: 800-908-9946 • Submit Form 4506-T to request transcripts by mail If you absolutely need to speak with an agent: • Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 • Best times: early morning (7am-8am) or late afternoon (4pm-5pm) • Have ready: Social Security number, filing status, and mailing address Keep in mind that the IRS retains tax records for up to 7 years, so your 2019 information is definitely still available.

I couldn't find my 2019 AGI either last month and had a mini heart attack thinking I'd have to brave the IRS phone system. 😅 But! I remembered I still had my tax software account from that year. Logged in and voilà - all my old returns were there, including the AGI. Might be worth checking if you used TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, etc. back then? Most keep your returns for several years. Saved me from what I'm sure would have been hours of hold music about tax laws and payment options!

As per IRS Publication 17, taxpayers have the right to access their prior year tax information, including AGI. However, the IRS systems are notoriously difficult to navigate without assistance. I was in a similar situation trying to retrieve older tax data and wasted days trying different approaches. What finally worked for me was using https://taxr.ai to analyze my transcript once I received it. The service helped me locate the exact line where my AGI appeared and verified it was the correct number to use for e-filing. Their document analysis saved me from potentially using the wrong figure, as the transcript format can be confusing with multiple years and adjusted amounts appearing throughout.

I think I might have a solution that worked for me... if you filed electronically in 2019, maybe check if your email has the confirmation? I was looking for my 2020 AGI earlier this year and remembered I usually save the email confirmations from when I file. I searched my email for "tax confirmation 2020" and found the original email that had a PDF attachment with my full return. I'm not sure if this will work for everyone, but it might be worth checking your email before going through the hassle of contacting the IRS?

After multiple failed attempts to retrieve my AGI through the IRS website and spending hours on hold, I discovered Claimyr.com (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c). The service connected me directly to an IRS agent who verified my identity and provided my AGI information within minutes. The entire process took less than 30 minutes from start to finish, compared to the days I had previously spent trying to get through. The IRS agent also confirmed that AGI retrieval is considered a legitimate reason for calling their customer service line, so they were able to assist immediately.

I had this same problem. Couldn't find my 2019 return anywhere. Called my accountant. He had it on file. Got my AGI in 5 minutes. Worth checking if you used a preparer. Even if you didn't use them last year. They keep records for years. Saved me so much hassle. No waiting on hold. No IRS frustration.

The community wisdom here is that if you can't find your AGI from 2019, you still have options beyond calling the IRS. Have you checked with whoever prepared your taxes that year? What about logging into the tax software you used? Did you keep a copy in your email? If all else fails, you can also enter $0 as your prior year AGI if you're filing electronically for the first time or if you've changed tax software - but does this work in your specific situation? What happens if you input the wrong AGI?

If you filed on April 15, 2020 (the extended deadline that year due to COVID), your tax transcript should be available until at least April 15, 2027, as the IRS maintains records for 7 years. If you filed earlier in 2020 for your 2019 taxes, you still have plenty of time before those records expire. One thing that hasn't been mentioned: if you've moved since 2019, make sure you're using your address from that year when requesting transcripts by mail. The IRS will only send sensitive information to the address they have on file from that tax year unless you've formally updated your address with them through Form 8822.