Your AGI is on line 11 of Form 1040, labeled "Adjusted Gross Income"

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is the number the IRS uses to determine whether you owe taxes, how much you owe, and whether you may have access to for tax credits and deductions. It appears in the same place on every 1040 return: line 11, near the middle of the first page. If you filed electronically, your tax software will show it clearly on the summary page or final return preview before you submit.

Your AGI starts with your total income — wages, self-employment earnings, interest, dividends, capital gains — and then subtracts specific deductions called "above-the-line" deductions. These include contributions to traditional IRAs, student loan interest, and self-employment tax. The result is your AGI. This number matters because many other tax benefits and credits depend on it: child tax credits, education credits, retirement savings credits, and phase-outs for itemized deductions all use your AGI as the starting point.

Key Takeaways

  • AGI appears on line 11 of Form 1040, the main federal tax return form used by most filers.
  • If you filed electronically, your tax software displays your AGI on the return summary or final preview screen before submission.
  • Your AGI is your total income minus specific deductions like traditional IRA contributions and student loan interest.
  • Many tax credits and deductions use your AGI to determine whether you can claim them and how much you receive.
  • If you filed a different form — such as 1040-SR or 1040-NR — your AGI will still be on line 11 of that form.

How to locate AGI on a paper return you filed yourself

If you printed and mailed a paper 1040, open it to the first page. Look at the right side of the form, roughly in the middle. Line 11 has the label "Adjusted Gross Income" next to a box. The number in that box is your AGI. The form is laid out in sections: lines 1 through 9 show different types of income, lines 10 through 11 show deductions and your AGI, and the rest of the form continues below.

The number on line 11 should match the number you entered on line 10 of Schedule 1 (Form 1040), if you filed one. Schedule 1 is where you report additional income and deductions beyond what fits on the main 1040. If you did not file a Schedule 1, your AGI comes directly from the income and deduction lines on the 1040 itself.

Finding AGI in tax software or online accounts

If you used tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct, your AGI appears on the return summary page before you file. Most software shows it in a box labeled "Adjusted Gross Income" or "AGI" on the final review screen. You can also log back into your tax software account after filing and view your return; the AGI will be displayed there.

If you filed through the IRS Free File program or created an IRS account at IRS.gov, you can retrieve your return information by logging into your account. The IRS transcript tools (available at IRS.gov under "Get Your Tax Record") show your AGI from filed returns. You can order a free transcript by mail, phone, or through your online account. The transcript arrives within 5 to 10 business days by mail, or you can view it immediately online if you use the IRS website.

Why you might need to know your AGI

Banks, schools, and government programs often ask for your AGI to verify your income. When you apply for student financial aid (FAFSA), your AGI from your tax return is used to calculate how much aid you may receive. If you are applying for housing assistance, rental help, or other income-based programs, the program administrator may ask for your AGI to confirm you meet income limits. Insurance companies sometimes ask for AGI when you apply for subsidized health coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Your AGI also determines whether you can claim certain tax credits in future years. If your income rises above certain thresholds, your AGI may push you out of range for credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit. Knowing your AGI helps you plan ahead and understand whether changes in your income will affect your taxes.

What to do if you cannot find your AGI

If you filed your return and cannot locate the AGI, the fastest route is to log into your tax software account and view the return summary. If you filed on paper and no longer have the return, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to request a transcript. You will need to provide your Social Security number, filing status, and the year of the return. The IRS can mail you a transcript or, if you have an online account, you can retrieve it yourself within minutes.

If you filed through a tax preparer or accountant, contact them directly. They have a copy of your return and can tell you your AGI immediately. If you did not file a return but need to know what your AGI would have been, you can calculate it yourself: add up all your income sources, then subtract above-the-line deductions. The result is your AGI.

Different forms and where AGI appears

Most people file Form 1040, and AGI is always on line 11. However, some filers use different forms. If you are 65 or older, you may file Form 1040-SR instead of 1040; AGI is still on line 11. If you are a nonresident alien, you file Form 1040-NR; AGI is on line 11 of that form as well. If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien living abroad, you file Form 2555 to claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, and your AGI appears on line 11 of your 1040.

Regardless of which form you file, the IRS places AGI in the same location: line 11. This consistency makes it easy to find, even if your situation is more complex than a standard return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AGI the same as my total income?

No. Your total income includes all money you earned before any deductions. Your AGI is your total income minus specific deductions like traditional IRA contributions, student loan interest, and self-employment tax. AGI is always lower than or equal to your total income.

Can my AGI change after I file?

If you file an amended return (Form 1040-X) because you made a mistake or had new information, your AGI may change. Otherwise, once the IRS accepts your return, your AGI for that year is set. If you amend, your new AGI will appear on the amended return you file.

Do I need to memorize my AGI?

No. Write it down or save a copy of your return when you file. You can always retrieve it from your tax software, the IRS, or your tax preparer. Many programs that ask for your AGI also accept a copy of your tax return as proof.

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

There is one AGI for the household. When you file a joint return, all income and deductions are combined into a single AGI on line 11. This AGI applies to both spouses for tax purposes.

Does my AGI affect my tax refund?

Your AGI affects how much tax you owe, which then determines your refund. A lower AGI usually means less tax owed and a larger refund (if you had taxes withheld). Your AGI also determines whether you can claim certain credits that reduce your tax bill and increase your refund.