How to Find Your AGI From the IRS

Your AGI is on your tax return, not something the IRS sends separately

Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is a number the IRS calculates based on your tax return — it is not a separate document they mail or email to you. If you filed a tax return, your AGI is on that return. If you need it now and do not have your return in front of you, you can retrieve it from the IRS using one of three methods: your tax software account, the IRS website using Get Transcript, or by calling the IRS directly.

The reason you might need your AGI is usually because another agency — a school, a lender, a government program — is asking for it to verify your income. The IRS can confirm it, but you have to ask for it in the right way.

Key Takeaways

Your AGI appears on your completed tax return (Form 1040, line 11 for most filers), so checking your filed return is the fastest way to find it.
The IRS Get Transcript tool on IRS.gov lets you view your tax return information online without calling, using either your login credentials or identity verification questions.
If you filed electronically, you can log into your tax software account (TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, etc.) and view your filed return there.
Calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 works if you have your Social Security number and can answer identity verification questions, but wait times are often long.
If you need the IRS to send your AGI to a third party (a school or lender), request a tax transcript instead of trying to forward the information yourself.

Finding your AGI on your own tax return

If you have a copy of your filed tax return, your AGI is printed on it. For most people filing Form 1040, the AGI is on line 11. If you filed a different form — Schedule C if you are self-employed, for example — the AGI may be on a different line, but it will be labeled clearly.

Check your email for a copy. If you filed electronically, your tax preparer or software company usually sends a confirmation email with a PDF of your return attached. If you filed on paper, you may have kept a copy when you mailed it in. If neither exists, move to the next method.

Using IRS Get Transcript to view your return online

The IRS Get Transcript tool is the fastest way to retrieve your AGI without calling. Go to IRS.gov, search for "Get Transcript," and select the option for "Get Transcript Online." You will need to log in using either an IRS online account or answer identity verification questions (name, address, filing status, Social Security number, and details from your return).

Once you log in, you can view your "Account Transcript," which shows your AGI and other key information from your return. You can also download a PDF of your actual filed return (called a "Tax Return Transcript") if you need the full document. This method works for returns filed in the current year and several prior years.

If you do not have an IRS online account, you can create one at IRS.gov using your Social Security number, email address, and a phone number. The account takes a few minutes to set up and can be used for future IRS business as well.

Logging into your tax software account

If you filed your return using tax software — TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, Jackson Hewitt, or another provider — you can log back into that account and view your filed return. Your AGI will be displayed on the return summary or the main form.

This method works only if you still have access to the account and remember your login. If you filed through a tax preparer's office rather than doing it yourself, contact that office and ask them to send you a copy of your return.

Calling the IRS to get your AGI by phone

You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and speak to a representative who can tell you your AGI. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status ready. The representative will ask you identity verification questions to confirm you are the taxpayer.

This method is reliable but often involves long wait times, especially during tax season (January through April). If you can use Get Transcript instead, that is usually faster. If you are calling outside the US, the IRS has international phone numbers listed on IRS.gov.

Requesting the IRS send your AGI to a third party

If a school, lender, or government program is asking for your AGI, they may accept a tax transcript directly from the IRS instead of you forwarding the information yourself. This is more secure and counts as official verification.

Use IRS Get Transcript to order a "Tax Return Transcript" and have it mailed or emailed to the third party. You will need their mailing address or email. Alternatively, some organizations have a process for requesting transcripts directly from the IRS on your behalf — ask them if they offer this option before you order one yourself.

What to do if you cannot find your AGI

If you did not file a tax return for the year in question, the IRS will not have an AGI for you. If someone is asking for your AGI from a year you did not file, you may need to file a return for that year, or you may need to provide income documentation (W-2s, 1099s, pay stubs) instead.

If you filed a return but cannot access it through any of the methods above, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Bring your Social Security number and be prepared to answer identity questions. The IRS can confirm whether a return was filed under your name and can provide the AGI over the phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get someone else's AGI from the IRS?

No. The IRS will only release tax information to the taxpayer themselves or to someone with a valid power of attorney. If you need a spouse's or dependent's AGI, they must request it themselves or grant you power of attorney in writing.

How long does it take to get a tax transcript from the IRS?

Online transcripts are available immediately if you use Get Transcript. Mailed transcripts take 5 to 10 business days. Email delivery is faster but is not available in all states yet.

What if I filed jointly with a spouse — is there one AGI or two?

There is one AGI for the joint return. If your spouse needs to provide their individual AGI to someone, they would need to file a separate return or provide their income from other documents like W-2s.

Do I need to pay to get my AGI from the IRS?

No. The IRS does not charge for transcripts, Get Transcript access, or phone assistance. If a website or service is charging you for this, it is not the official IRS.

What if the IRS says I did not file a return?

If you believe you filed and the IRS has no record, contact them at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and the year in question. They can search for it. If it was mailed, it may not have been processed yet, especially during busy tax season.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.