Queue to access IRS website when trying to find last year's AGI - is this normal on tax deadline day?
So I'm trying to file my taxes last minute (I know, I know) and I need to get my AGI from last year to e-file. When I tried logging into the IRS website, I got put into some kind of virtual waiting room with a countdown timer! Has anyone seen this before? There's literally a queue to enter the IRS website right now. The message says something about managing server traffic, but I've never encountered a queue just to access a government website before. Is this normal on tax day or is it because everyone's trying to beat the April 15th deadline? I'm starting to freak out a bit because I need that AGI number to finish my return today and I'm stuck in this digital line. How long do these queues usually take? The timer keeps fluctuating between 15-30 minutes.
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Ethan Davis
This is totally normal during the last few days of tax season! The IRS online systems get absolutely hammered with traffic as everyone scrambles to file before the deadline. The virtual waiting room is their way of preventing the whole system from crashing - better to have a controlled queue than have the servers completely melt down. Last year I had to wait about 25 minutes to get into my account on April 14th. It's frustrating but just keep the window open and eventually you'll get through. If you absolutely need your AGI right now, there are a couple alternatives: check your tax return from last year if you saved a copy, or if you used tax software last year, you might be able to log in there and find it in your return.
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Yuki Tanaka
•If I can't find last year's return and get stuck in this queue, can I still file without the AGI? I thought it was required for identity verification when e-filing?
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Ethan Davis
•If you can't access your previous year's AGI, you can enter "0" as your prior year AGI if you didn't file last year, or if this is your first time e-filing. If you did file last year but just can't access your AGI right now, you still have options. You could print and mail your return instead of e-filing (though obviously not ideal on deadline day). Alternatively, some tax software platforms have other verification methods they can use if you're a returning customer with them.
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Carmen Ortiz
After dealing with similar frustrations trying to get my tax documents verified, I started using taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it's been a game changer. I was stuck in those IRS queues too, but taxr.ai has this smart document reader that pulled my AGI from my previous return PDF in seconds. It also helped me figure out which documents I was missing for this year's filing.
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MidnightRider
•Does it work with scanned documents too? I have my old returns but they're paper copies I scanned.
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Andre Laurent
•I'm a bit skeptical about giving my tax info to a third party site. How secure is it and does it keep copies of your documents after analysis?
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Carmen Ortiz
•Yes, it absolutely works with scanned documents! I actually had a coffee-stained return from last year that I had to scan, and it picked up all the numbers perfectly. Regarding security, I had the same concerns initially. They use bank-level encryption and don't store your documents after processing - they're analyzed then deleted from their servers. You can also use it without creating an account if you're extra cautious about your info.
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MidnightRider
Just wanted to follow up - I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here and WOW. Not only did it pull my AGI from my scanned return in literally seconds, it also found a couple deductions I missed last year! I was able to use that info to finally get past the IRS queue (which took 40 mins btw) and finish my filing with the correct AGI. Definitely bookmarking this for next year!
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Zoe Papadopoulos
If you're still struggling to get through to the IRS website or phone lines, try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I discovered it after spending hours trying to get through the IRS queue with no luck. They basically get you past the hold times on the IRS phone lines so you can speak to an actual human who can help verify your identity or tell you your AGI. Their system actually works - you can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c
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Jamal Washington
•How exactly does this work? I don't understand how a third party can get me through IRS hold times faster than if I call myself.
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Mei Wong
•Yeah right. Nothing can get you through the IRS lines faster. I've been trying for 3 days and keep getting disconnected. This sounds like a scam to me.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
•The technology basically waits on hold for you and calls you back when an IRS agent is on the line. It uses an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and stays on hold so you don't have to. I had the same reaction initially, but it's legit. The IRS doesn't know or care how long you've been on hold - they just answer calls in the order received. Claimyr basically does the waiting for you and connects you when a human answers. Saved me about 2 hours of hold time when I needed my AGI verified.
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Mei Wong
I'm honestly shocked - that Claimyr thing actually worked. After my skeptical comment yesterday, I was desperate enough to try it. I was expecting to get scammed, but 45 minutes later I got a call back with an actual IRS agent on the line. Got my AGI issue sorted in 5 minutes once I had a real person. Filed my taxes with 4 hours to spare before the deadline! Never would have gotten through otherwise.
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Liam Fitzgerald
Pro tip: If this happens again next year, just file an extension. Form 4868 gives you until October 15 to file (though you still need to pay any taxes you owe by the regular deadline). That way you can avoid all this last-minute rush and access the IRS systems when they're not overloaded.
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Aisha Abdullah
•Can I still file an extension today even if I can't get my AGI number? And do I need to pay anything with the extension if I think I'm getting a refund?
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Liam Fitzgerald
•Yes, you can absolutely file an extension today without your AGI! Form 4868 doesn't require your previous year's AGI. If you're expecting a refund, you don't need to make any payment with your extension. The payment requirement with extensions only applies to people who will owe taxes. Since you're anticipating a refund, you can just file the extension form without any payment and you'll be good until October 15.
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PixelWarrior
Has anyone tried the IRS2Go mobile app for this? I had similar issues with the website queue last year, but the mobile app seemed to have shorter wait times.
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Amara Adebayo
•The app works pretty well for basic stuff but I still got stuck in a queue this morning. Maybe try early tomorrow morning before 8am? That's usually when traffic is lowest.
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Matthew Sanchez
Just went through this exact same nightmare today! I was in the IRS queue for over an hour trying to get my AGI. What finally worked for me was calling the IRS automated phone line at 1-800-908-9946 - it's their automated refund/account info line. You can get your prior year AGI without talking to a human if you have your SSN and either your filing status or exact refund amount from last year. Way faster than waiting in that website queue, and it's available 24/7. Saved me when I was down to the wire!
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