You cannot find your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) directly on your W-2 form. The W-2 shows your total taxable wages from your employer (Box 1) but does not include other income sources or deductions that are part of the AGI calculation. AGI is calculated on your tax return, specifically on Form 1040, line 11
. To find your AGI, you should:
- Look at your prior year’s tax return (Form 1040, line 11) if you filed taxes last year
- If you don’t have your prior year return, you can obtain your AGI from the IRS by:
- Using the IRS Get Transcript Online tool to view your tax transcript
* Requesting a transcript by mail or phone (allow 5 to 10 days for delivery)
- If you are filing taxes for the first time, you may enter zero for your prior year AGI when e-filing
In summary, your W-2 provides the starting point for calculating your AGI (your wages), but your AGI is ultimately determined on your tax return after accounting for other income and deductions. The reliable source for your AGI is your tax return or an IRS transcript, not your W-2
