Start with your W-2 wages in Box 1
Add other taxable income not shown on the W-2, such as interest, dividends, self-employment income, rental income, unemployment compensation, and taxable retirement distributions
Add any other income reported on your tax return
Subtract above-the-line deductions, such as traditional IRA deductions, HSA deductions, student loan interest deduction, educator expenses, self-employed health insurance, and self-employment tax deduction
The result is your Adjusted Gross Income
Use the AGI line on your Form 1040 to confirm the final amount