Zero AGI showing, still missing my 2022 tax refund. What now?

This is my second year filing taxes and I'm totally stuck. Last year when I filed through TurboTax, my return got rejected multiple times. Found out that my uncle's accountant had somehow filed taxes using my information without my knowledge when my uncle was doing his taxes. The accountant apparently claimed me as my uncle's dependent AND filed a separate return in my name. The worst part? The refund that should have come to my bank account went to this accountant instead! I called the IRS right away, and they said they were working to recover the money since it was sent to the wrong person. They opened a case but I haven't heard anything back since that initial call. Now I'm trying to file my 2023 taxes independently using FreeTaxUSA, but every submission gets rejected because the system needs my prior year AGI, which defaults to 0 since I technically never received an "official" processed refund from 2022. I've been to a local tax office and they just told me to contact the IRS. When I called the IRS again, they said they'd start a trace on my refund and I should get something in the mail within 60-90 days, but also suggested I work with "tax professionals" to complete this year's return. I feel like I'm being bounced back and forth between services with no actual solution. How do I file my 2023 taxes with this AGI problem? And will I ever see my 2022 refund?

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20 comments

Sunny Wang

•8M

What you're experiencing is unfortunately common when identity theft happens with tax returns. Here's what you should do: First, for your current 2023 filing issue, you actually CAN use "0" as your prior year AGI in this situation. When a taxpayer's prior-year return is compromised or hasn't been processed yet, the IRS system will accept zero as the prior year AGI. Make sure you're entering exactly "0" (not blank, not "zero") in the prior year AGI field. For your 2022 refund situation, you need to file Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) if you haven't already. This alerts the IRS officially that your identity was compromised. The IRS should have suggested this when you first called. Also, request a 2022 tax transcript through the IRS website or by filing Form 4506-T. This will show you exactly what the IRS has on file for your 2022 taxes and can help clarify the situation.

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Sunny Wang

•8M

If using "0" still results in rejection, then paper filing becomes the best option. The IRS will process a paper return regardless of AGI verification issues. Just print out the completed return, sign it, attach any required W-2s or other income statements, and mail it to the appropriate IRS processing center. For the identity theft situation, paper filing might actually be better anyway since it allows you to include a brief explanation of the situation and attach the Identity Theft Affidavit directly with the return.

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Sunny Wang

•8M

Yes, with your paper return, include a brief cover letter explaining your situation - that your 2022 return was filed fraudulently by someone else and you're having issues with e-filing. You don't need a special form for this explanation, just a simple letter. Filing Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) will absolutely help with recovering your 2022 refund. It officially flags your case as identity theft, which puts it on a different processing track. The IRS has a dedicated Identity Theft Victim Assistance organization that handles these cases. After filing this form, you can expect a resolution within 120-180 days. I know it's been a long wait already, but this form is critical to getting proper resolution.

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Effie Alexander

•8M

After dealing with my own tax nightmare last year, I discovered an AI tool that saved me tons of headaches. Check out https://taxr.ai - it's designed to help with confusing tax situations like yours where you need to figure out the right forms and processes. I uploaded my rejection notices and previous year's documents, and it immediately identified I needed to file the Identity Theft Affidavit that the previous commenter mentioned. It also provided step-by-step guidance for paper filing when e-filing keeps failing. The best part was it explained everything in plain English instead of IRS jargon.

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Effie Alexander

•8M

It absolutely works for identity theft situations. The tool analyzes your specific scenario and identifies the right IRS forms and procedures. For your situation with an ex's parent wrongfully claiming you, it would likely recommend filing a paper return, completing Form 14039, and possibly requesting a PIN for future filings to prevent this from happening again. The AI stays updated with current IRS procedures and tax law changes. What makes it different from regular tax software is that it's specifically designed to handle unusual situations and complications rather than just standard filing. It analyzes IRS publications, procedures, and even court cases to give you accurate guidance tailored to your specific issue.

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Melissa Lin

•8M

Guys, I actually tried the taxr.ai site after posting my question here and I'm genuinely impressed. My situation with my ex's mom claiming me as a dependent was causing me endless headaches with the IRS. The tool immediately identified I needed to file a paper return with supporting documentation proving my independence. What really helped was the guided walkthrough for completing Form 14039 and the explanation of how to properly document the identity theft situation. I was able to submit everything last week, and I just got confirmation from the IRS that they've accepted my return and are processing it correctly now. It also helped me understand how to set up identity protection for future tax seasons. Definitely worth checking out if you're dealing with weird tax situations like identity theft or improper dependent claims.

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Romeo Quest

•8M

If you're still waiting to hear back from the IRS about your 2022 refund, you might want to try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation last year - waiting months with no updates on my refund that was sent to the wrong account. I tried calling the IRS for weeks but couldn't get through. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 45 minutes instead of the usual 3+ hour wait. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent I spoke with was able to put a rush on my refund trace and explained exactly what was happening with my case. Turns out they needed additional verification from me that had never been communicated through their regular channels.

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Romeo Quest

•8M

It works by using an automated system that calls the IRS repeatedly using optimized timing and navigation through their phone tree. Basically, it does the waiting for you by continuously dialing until it gets through, then alerts you when a human agent is about to come on the line. It's not "skipping" the line - it's just taking the burden of waiting and redialing off your shoulders. Regarding skepticism, I understand completely. I felt the same way initially. But it's not claiming to have special access or relationships with the IRS - it's just automating the painful process of getting through their overloaded phone system. I spent three separate days trying to call before using this, each time waiting 2+ hours before getting disconnected. This service just handled that frustrating part for me.

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Eve Freeman

•8M

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I was still desperate to resolve my own tax issue with an amended return that had been sitting for 9 months with no updates. I reluctantly tried the service, and within an hour I was actually speaking with an IRS representative. The agent was able to see that my amended return had been received but was stuck in a processing queue due to a discrepancy that nobody had bothered to contact me about. The representative helped me resolve the issue on the spot and gave me a direct case number and timeframe for when my refund would be processed. Two weeks later, I received the check. If you're stuck in IRS limbo like the original poster with their missing refund, having a real conversation with an agent can make all the difference. I'm genuinely surprised and happy to admit I was wrong.

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Clarissa Flair

•8M

One thing nobody's mentioned - you should request an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS immediately. After my husband had his tax return stolen by his mom's boyfriend (long story), getting an IP PIN was the only thing that prevented it from happening again. It's a 6-digit number that the IRS issues to confirmed identity theft victims, and you'll need it to file all future tax returns. Without it, the IRS will reject any return filed with your SSN, even if it's legitimately from you. You can request one through the IRS website or when you speak with an agent.

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Clarissa Flair

•8M

An IP PIN won't solve your current filing issues, but it will prevent this from happening again in the future. You'll receive a new IP PIN each year - the IRS sends it by mail in December or January before the tax season starts, or you can retrieve it online through your IRS online account. For your current situation, you'll still need to follow the advice about paper filing and submitting the Identity Theft Affidavit (Form 14039). Once the IRS processes that form, they'll automatically enroll you in the IP PIN program. If you don't want to wait, you can proactively enroll through the IRS website's "Get an IP PIN" tool.

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