Tax return year for recert?

Hi, it’s been a minute since I’ve had to recertify income and I will need to in January 2027 (riding out PAYE until the bitter end). My question is, I seem to remember in the past using a previous year’s (like 1-2 years old) tax return to recertify. Did I imagine that?

I’m assuming for a January 2027 recertification I need to use the 2026 tax return, and would not be able to use 2025. Do I have that right? Obviously I’d love to use an older return bc I was making less so my agi was lower.

TIA!