AGI is on line 11 of Form 1040, labeled "adjusted gross income"

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is your total income minus specific deductions the IRS allows. On your federal tax return, it appears as a single number on line 11 of Form 1040. If you filed using Form 1040-SR (for people 65 and older), AGI is also on line 11. This is the figure tax software and the IRS use to determine whether you meet income thresholds for tax credits, deductions, and other programs.

Your AGI is not the same as your total income or your taxable income. It sits between those two figures. The IRS calculates it by taking your income from all sources, then subtracting certain deductions like educator expenses, student loan interest, or contributions to a traditional IRA. What remains is your AGI.

If you filed a state or local tax return, those forms may also show AGI, but the federal Form 1040 is the standard source. Many programs—housing assistance, food benefits, health insurance subsidies—ask for your federal AGI from your most recent tax return.

Key Takeaways

  • AGI appears on line 11 of Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR, labeled "adjusted gross income."
  • AGI is your total income minus specific deductions, and it differs from both your total income and your taxable income.
  • If you used tax software, your AGI is usually shown on the summary page or in the final tax return document.
  • Programs that ask for AGI typically want the figure from your most recent completed tax year, not your current-year estimate.

How to locate AGI if you filed electronically

If you filed your return through tax software (TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, or similar), your AGI appears on the summary or review page before you submit. Most software highlights it clearly because it is a key figure. After you file, you can log back into your account and view your completed return; AGI will be on the first page or in a summary section.

The IRS also provides AGI through its online account portal at IRS.gov. You can create or log into your account, select "Tax Records," and view your transcript. The "Account Transcript" shows your AGI for the year you select. This transcript is free and takes a few minutes to retrieve online, though you can also request it by mail if you do not have an online account.

If you cannot find your AGI in your software account or the IRS portal, contact the software company's support line or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the tax year ready.

How to locate AGI if you filed on paper

If you mailed a paper return, your copy should be in your records. Pull out your Form 1040 and look at line 11. That number is your AGI. If you no longer have your copy, you can request a transcript from the IRS.

The fastest way is to use the IRS website at IRS.gov/transcripts. Select "Get Transcript Online," create an account if needed, and choose the tax year. The Account Transcript will show your AGI. You can view it immediately and print it. If you prefer not to use the online portal, you can call 1-800-829-1040 and request a transcript by phone, or mail Form 4506-C to the IRS address for your region (listed on the form itself).

Mailed requests usually take 5 to 10 business days. Online retrieval is instant. Either way, the transcript is free.

What to do if you have not filed yet

If a program asks for your AGI but you have not filed your tax return, you will need to estimate it or file first. Most programs ask for AGI from your most recent completed tax year, so if you have not filed this year, they typically want last year's figure.

If you are asked to provide a current-year estimate (which is less common), you can calculate it roughly: add up all your income from wages, self-employment, interest, dividends, and other sources, then subtract deductions you know you will claim. This is an approximation and may not be accepted by all programs. Filing your actual return is more reliable if the deadline has not passed.

Some programs will accept a pay stub or letter from your employer showing year-to-date income as a temporary substitute while you file. Ask the program what documents they will accept in the meantime.

AGI for married couples and joint returns

If you filed a joint return with a spouse, there is one AGI for both of you on line 11. That single number represents your combined income minus your combined deductions. When a program asks for AGI, provide the full joint amount, not half of it.

If you filed separately (Married Filing Separately), each return has its own AGI on line 11. Provide your individual AGI from your own return. Some programs have different income limits depending on filing status, so make sure you are using the correct return.

Why programs ask for AGI instead of other income figures

AGI is the standard because it is standardized. Every federal tax return calculates it the same way, and it is audited by the IRS. When a housing program, food benefit program, or health insurance marketplace asks for AGI, they know exactly what they are getting: a verified, consistent figure that reflects your actual financial situation after certain deductions.

Total income (before deductions) would overstate what you actually have available. Taxable income (after all deductions and exemptions) would understate it. AGI sits in the middle and is the figure the IRS uses to determine your tax bracket and your may be able to access for many tax credits. Programs that help low-income households use the same threshold.

Because AGI is on your official tax return, you do not have to calculate it yourself or worry about whether you did it correctly. You simply locate the number and provide it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my W-2 or pay stub instead of my tax return to show AGI?

No. A W-2 shows only wages from one employer, and a pay stub shows only current-year earnings to date. Neither shows AGI, which includes all income sources and accounts for deductions. You need your actual tax return or an IRS transcript. Some programs will accept a pay stub temporarily while you gather your return, but the return itself is the official document.

Is AGI the same as my refund amount?

No. AGI is your income after deductions. Your refund is the difference between the taxes you paid during the year and the taxes you actually owe. You can have a high AGI and a small refund, or a low AGI and a large refund. They are separate calculations.

What if my AGI changed between last year and this year?

Programs almost always ask for your most recent completed tax year. If you filed 2023 taxes, that is the AGI they want, even if your 2024 income is different. If you have not filed 2024 yet and the program needs current-year information, ask whether they will accept an estimate or a pay stub while you file.

Do I need to provide my AGI if I did not file a tax return?

If you did not file, you cannot provide an AGI from a tax return. Some programs will ask you to estimate your income or provide recent pay stubs instead. Others may require you to file before you can proceed. Contact the program directly to find out what documents they will accept.

Where is AGI on Form 1040-NR or other variations?

Form 1040-NR (for nonresident aliens) also shows AGI on line 11. Other forms like Schedule C (self-employment) or Schedule E (rental income) do not show AGI themselves; they feed into your Form 1040, where AGI appears. Always use your main Form 1040 or 1040-SR as your source.