Where to find your AGI on your tax return

Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is a specific number on your tax return — not something you calculate yourself. If you filed taxes last year, your AGI is already printed on the form you submitted to the IRS. The fastest way to find it is to look at the tax return you kept, or to retrieve a copy from the IRS if you no longer have it.

On a Form 1040 (the main federal tax form), your AGI appears on line 11. On a Form 1040-SR (for people 65 and older), it is also line 11. If you filed a different form — such as Form 1040-NR if you are a nonresident alien — the line number may differ, but the return itself will label it clearly as "Adjusted Gross Income."

The IRS does not mail you a separate document with just your AGI. It is part of your complete tax return. So your first step is to locate the actual return you filed.

Key Takeaways

  • Your AGI is printed on line 11 of Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR, so check the copy of your tax return you kept at home first.
  • If you do not have a paper copy, you can retrieve a transcript from the IRS for free using IRS.gov, by phone, or by mail.
  • An IRS Account Transcript shows your AGI and takes one to two business days to arrive online, or up to five business days by mail.
  • Some programs and lenders ask for your AGI to verify income, so having this number ready saves time when you need to prove what you earned.

Getting a transcript from the IRS if you do not have your return

If you threw away your tax return or cannot find it, the IRS will send you a transcript — an official copy of the key information from your return — at no cost. You have three ways to request one: online through your IRS account, by phone, or by mail.

The fastest method is online. Go to IRS.gov, sign in to your account (or create one using your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status), and select "Get Transcript." Choose "Account Transcript" — this is the version that shows your AGI. The transcript will appear on your screen when ready, and you can print or read it. If you want a mailed copy, the IRS will send it within five to ten business days.

If you prefer to call, phone the IRS at 1-800-908-9946. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status ready. The IRS representative will verify your identity and can mail you a transcript. This method takes longer — usually five to ten business days — but requires no computer access.

You can also request a transcript by mail. Fill out Form 4506-C (Request for Transcript of Tax Return) or Form 4506T-Z (Request for Transcript of Tax Return — Short Form), print it, and mail it to the address listed on the form. This is the slowest option, taking ten to fifteen business days, but it works if you have no internet access and prefer not to call.

What "Account Transcript" means and why it matters

The IRS offers several types of transcripts, and it is important to request the right one. An Account Transcript shows your AGI, filing status, and the main numbers from your return. This is what most people need when they want to know their AGI. It is free and arrives quickly.

A Tax Return Transcript is a more detailed version that includes line-by-line information from your actual return. It takes longer to produce and is usually only necessary if a lender or program needs to see exactly how you calculated your income. Unless someone specifically asks for a "Tax Return Transcript," request an Account Transcript instead.

A Verification of Non-Filing Transcript is used only if you did not file taxes in a given year and need proof of that fact. Do not request this if you did file.

Why programs and lenders ask for your AGI

Your AGI is the number that appears on your tax return after you subtract certain deductions from your total income. It is smaller than your gross income (the total you earned before any deductions), which is why programs use it — it is the official, verified number the IRS has on record.

When a mortgage lender, a rental information program, a student loan servicer, or a government benefit program asks for your AGI, they are asking for proof of what you actually earned in a specific year. Your tax return is the official record, and your AGI is the standard measure of income across all tax returns. Providing this number is faster and more reliable than submitting pay stubs, which can be lost or unclear.

Some programs ask for your AGI from a specific year — often the most recent year you filed. Make sure you know which year they want before you request your transcript.

What to do if you did not file taxes last year

If you did not file a tax return last year, you do not have an AGI for that year. A program or lender asking for your AGI from a year you did not file cannot get that information from the IRS, because the IRS has no record of it.

In this situation, tell the program or lender directly: "I did not file taxes that year." They will usually ask you to provide income documentation another way — such as pay stubs, a letter from your employer, bank statements, or a profit-and-loss statement if you are self-employed. Different programs accept different types of proof, so ask what they will take.

If you think you should have filed taxes but did not, you can still file a return for a past year. The IRS accepts returns up to three years late without penalty if you are owed a refund, and longer if you owe taxes. A tax professional or a free tax preparation service (such as VITA, run by the IRS) can help you file a late return.

Keeping your AGI private and find

Your AGI is sensitive information — it is tied to your Social Security number and can be used to verify your identity. When you share your AGI with a lender, program, or organization, make sure you are dealing with a legitimate entity. Do not share it in response to an unsolicited email, text, or phone call.

If a program or lender asks for your AGI, you can ask them how they will use it and how they will protect it. Legitimate organizations will have a privacy policy and will explain why they need the information. If something feels off, hang up or close the browser and contact the organization directly using a phone number or website you find yourself, rather than one provided in the message.

When you receive your transcript from the IRS, treat it like you would a tax return — keep it in a safe place, do not leave it lying around, and do not share it unless you are certain of who is asking and why.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my AGI from the IRS on the phone without creating an online account?

Yes. Call the IRS at 1-800-908-9946 with your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status ready. The representative will verify your identity and can mail you a transcript showing your AGI. The transcript will arrive in five to ten business days.

What if I filed taxes but the IRS says they have no record of my return?

This sometimes happens if the return was misfiled or if there was a processing error. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (the main IRS line) and explain the situation. They can search for your return and tell you whether it was received and processed. If it was not, you may need to file again or work with a tax professional to trace what happened.

Do I need my AGI to file taxes this year?

No. Your AGI from last year is only needed if someone asks for it — such as a lender, a program, or a tax software that is helping you file. When you file your own taxes, you calculate your AGI as part of the process; you do not need to know it beforehand.

How long does it take to get my AGI if I request it online?

If you request an Account Transcript through your IRS online account, it appears on your screen when ready and you can read or print it. If you ask the IRS to mail it, allow five to ten business days for delivery.

Can someone else get my AGI from the IRS?

No, not without your permission. The IRS will only release your transcript to you or to someone you authorize in writing. If a program or lender needs your AGI, you have to request it yourself and provide it to them. Never give someone else your Social Security number or tax information to retrieve on your behalf unless you trust them completely.