Why do I need my prior year AGI?

When filing an electronic federal return/extension and making an electronic payment to the IRS for taxes owed for the current tax return/extension due, you are required to validate your electronic payment by entering your prior years AGI, "adjusted gross income".   

To find your AGI, follow the steps below:

1. Locate your prior year’s tax return’s  AGI “adjusted gross income”.
   
2. Use the AGI to create a PIN to submit payment to the IRS when completing the return/extension online.
3. If you can’t locate your previous year's tax return, contact the IRS (800-908-9946) to request a copy of your prior year's tax return transcript showing your AGI (this could take 5-10 business days to receive in the mail).
4. If you can’t locate your previous year’s AGI, you can change your payment method to "check payment" (this eliminates the need for a PIN/AGI).    
5. Put a check in the mail to the IRS. Be sure to write your “SS #” and “form 4868” on the check memo.