Please Help - Time Sensitive!

[NateM 0]

Hi everyone,

Recently, my fiancee was denied a K-1 visa at the Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, because apparently co-sponsors are not accepted here (and I didn't make enough money in 2007).

However, I learned they would accept my 2008 tax return as proof of income. So, I immediately filed with H & R Block, as I did make adequate income last year. Part of it is from W-2 income, and the other from painting houses on the side.

The CPA told me I had to file as "Self-Employed" on part of the return in order to do this. Anyway, I've been feeling positive about the whole thing, as I have the tax return in hand showing enough income. But I suddenly began wondering if the Embassy might require any additional documentation for the self-employed section, like receipts, etc, as a majority of my income came from it.

Does anyone know whether they'll require extra documentation beyond just my federal tax return to show proof of the income I made painting houses? Please note that I'm not talking about the requirements of the I-134, as all that stuff has been taken care of/turned in. I ask this because I didn't do a good job of collecting/keeping track of my receipts, as I didn't anticipate needing them.

I'm in Bangkok here with my fiancee and have to go to the Embassy tomorrow, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Nate

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I have been self-employed since 1993. When it came time to send the I-134 to the embassy, I provided threee years worth of tax returns. I send photocopies of the federal returns only. They accepted that. If you have 1099's, then I suppose you could provide those as evidence. Also, do you have any upcoming work, or bids that you can get statements from showing what you expect to receive form those jobs? I think as far as being self-employed, you need to show some history to establish a continuity of income.

[pushbrk 12,824]

Hi everyone,

Recently, my fiancee was denied a K-1 visa at the Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, because apparently co-sponsors are not accepted here (and I didn't make enough money in 2007).

However, I learned they would accept my 2008 tax return as proof of income. So, I immediately filed with H & R Block, as I did make adequate income last year. Part of it is from W-2 income, and the other from painting houses on the side.

The CPA told me I had to file as "Self-Employed" on part of the return in order to do this. Anyway, I've been feeling positive about the whole thing, as I have the tax return in hand showing enough income. But I suddenly began wondering if the Embassy might require any additional documentation for the self-employed section, like receipts, etc, as a majority of my income came from it.

Does anyone know whether they'll require extra documentation beyond just my federal tax return to show proof of the income I made painting houses? Please note that I'm not talking about the requirements of the I-134, as all that stuff has been taken care of/turned in. I ask this because I didn't do a good job of collecting/keeping track of my receipts, as I didn't anticipate needing them.

I'm in Bangkok here with my fiancee and have to go to the Embassy tomorrow, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Nate

Generally, they'll take your willingness to pay tax on income as evidence you earned it.

[NateM 0]

Thanks for the input so far

Mister_Bill/Bullwinkle - When you sent these 1040's in, did you have to include/attach the "Schedule C" and "Schedule SE" forms? Also, when you say they were accepted by the Embassy, at what point in the process are you? Has your fiancee obtained her visa yet?

pushbrk - That is something I thought about too. I'm having to pay a lot this year, so hopefully that will work in my favor.

Any other comments are welcome and appreciated.

Nate

[pushbrk 12,824]

Thanks for the input so far

Mister_Bill/Bullwinkle - When you sent these 1040's in, did you have to include/attach the "Schedule C" and "Schedule SE" forms? Also, when you say they were accepted by the Embassy, at what point in the process are you? Has your fiancee obtained her visa yet?

pushbrk - That is something I thought about too. I'm having to pay a lot this year, so hopefully that will work in my favor.

Any other comments are welcome and appreciated.

Nate

Send a copy of the complete tax return including all schedules and supporting documents. The 1040 is only part of a tax return.

[tallcoolone 102]

pushbrk - That is something I thought about too. I'm having to pay a lot this year, so hopefully that will work in my favor.

I don't know how paying a lot is a good thing. Keep your receipts and go to a CPA who does taxes, I don't think H&R Block has CPA's doing taxes.

I have been self employed for many years.

For Philippines I gave them my last year of taxes and my 1099's. I gave the same set of papers to Embassy that I gave to IRS.

[KimandRuss 0]

If you are self-employed they may request a schedule C along with your 1099 as that document shows the actual taxable income after your business expenses (what you claim).

This is how they also do it for AOS, where it's really going to count.

[Thai family 0]

Hi everyone,

Recently, my fiancee was denied a K-1 visa at the Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, because apparently co-sponsors are not accepted here (and I didn't make enough money in 2007).

However, I learned they would accept my 2008 tax return as proof of income. So, I immediately filed with H & R Block, as I did make adequate income last year. Part of it is from W-2 income, and the other from painting houses on the side.

The CPA told me I had to file as "Self-Employed" on part of the return in order to do this. Anyway, I've been feeling positive about the whole thing, as I have the tax return in hand showing enough income. But I suddenly began wondering if the Embassy might require any additional documentation for the self-employed section, like receipts, etc, as a majority of my income came from it.

Does anyone know whether they'll require extra documentation beyond just my federal tax return to show proof of the income I made painting houses? Please note that I'm not talking about the requirements of the I-134, as all that stuff has been taken care of/turned in. I ask this because I didn't do a good job of collecting/keeping track of my receipts, as I didn't anticipate needing them.

I'm in Bangkok here with my fiancee and have to go to the Embassy tomorrow, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Nate

Did you write up a concise statement in clear English as to why you'll be able to support her why she won't become a public charge in the US? They liked my son's notarized letter. It was required for him since he didn't file 2007 taxes, as he was a student abroad with no taxable income. It's probably a bit too late to get anything notarized. Just spell it out clearly and honestly for them.

Let us know how it turns out.

Thai Mom

P.S. I think you should be good to go with that tax return.