Is it better to file TAXES before or after the interview??

[gigant 0]

Hi,

The expected interview for my N400 is expected to be by the end of FEB/ beginning of march

Me and my wife decided, for several reasons to file the 2008 taxes separately;

Should I file before the interview and take the chance the immigration officer will ask me why we filed separately....

Or should I file after the interview: but in this case the IO may ask me why I did not file..

Pls advice, we need some opinion

Thank you

hasEML = false;

[Dakine 26]

Hi,

The expected interview for my N400 is expected to be by the end of FEB/ beginning of march

Me and my wife decided, for several reasons to file the 2008 taxes separately;

Should I file before the interview and take the chance the immigration officer will ask me why we filed separately....

Or should I file after the interview: but in this case the IO may ask me why I did not file..

Pls advice, we need some opinion

Thank you

hasEML = false;

Why take a chance? How about filing jointly and have it ammended after she has her USC!

Edited January 4, 2009 by Haole

[LorriQ 0]

Hi,

The expected interview for my N400 is expected to be by the end of FEB/ beginning of march

Me and my wife decided, for several reasons to file the 2008 taxes separately;

Should I file before the interview and take the chance the immigration officer will ask me why we filed separately....

Or should I file after the interview: but in this case the IO may ask me why I did not file..

Pls advice, we need some opinion

Thank you

hasEML = false;

not due until april 15th (federal) - why would they ask why you haven't filed? And aren't you going to mark married filing seperate? Still claiming married there.....

[eau_xplain 2]

It won't matter even if you file separately as long as you show your status as MARRIED in your tax filing.

Edited January 5, 2009 by eau_xplain

[NickD 202]

It won't matter even if you file separately as long as you show your status as MARRIED in your tax filing.

With us, very insistent on seeing the last three year returns, but due to USCIS delays, we had four so submitted that. What advantages in filing separately? Tax rate may be the same, but we also have state taxes where we pay less filing jointly, but can't file jointly on state unless you file jointly on federal. USCIS does like to see that IRS label with both your names on it. But so much depends on whom gives you the interview, ours was very particular on joint taxes, no problem, we had them.

[moonhunt 1]

In my personal opinion, you better file it as "married jointly".

Since you are applying for N400, it doesn't matter that much.

But showing tax return record has two meanings.

1) show your duty as responsible, law-abiding good moral character.

- apply to both Green Card(immigration visa) and naturalization interview

2) show your wife and you have financial obiligation together.

- This will affect more for immigration visa or green card interview since it shows both of you managing bona-fide marriage relationship.

But some of naturalization interview officer may be interested in this to doulble-check your marriage relationship sometimes.

You know how interview officer is trying to do. They will try to find any suspicious thing for your immigration history.

If you change Tax file status from married jointly to married separated, it may tag yellow alarm for your interview depending on interview officer's character.

For tax return for 2008, it will depend when you will get interviewed.

If Interview officer decided to push hard to get Federal Tax Return 2008, you may get RFE, and have to submit Federal Tax Return 2008 any way.

If I were you, I will include last 3 or 6 month pay stub copies, which will show year-to-date income and tax payment.

Then write cover-letter to explain that because you don't have all W2(s) and Form 1099(s), you can not file tax return until you have all those in handy.

If they ask for RFE to submit Federal Tax Return 2008 later, you can deal with it.

But at least, you can do your due-dillegence.

Edited January 5, 2009 by moonhunt