Are the "self-employed" evaluated differently?

[Andrew_Qin 0]

As a self-employed person I know by experience that the IRA treats self-employed income with a degree of suspicion. I wonder if the same applies to immigration authorities when they evaluate a self-employed person's income and ability to support a foreign spouse.

In my own case I am concerned because my business has suffered losses each year over the last three years. This year we fared better and my 2010 tax returns will show an income just on the borderline of 125% above the poverty line for a family my size. I have considerable equity in my home and commercial property as well as inventory and other business assets that I own. According to the numbers, I should be fine -unless there is a double standard for the self-employed. If any of you guys have information or input on this, I would be grateful to hear what you have to say.

Thanks,

Andrew

Sorry for the typo, I meant "IRS."

[Samoray 165]

I think it doesn't matter if you're self employed or not as long as you're currently above the poverty guidelines, but your assets and property would certainly help too, there is no double standardsGood Luck

[JoannaV 174]

As far as suspicion goes, immigration requires your tax information in order to prove your income. They assume that if the IRS has accepted your tax return then it is legit. So there is no double standard in this sense.

In general it is your current income or most recent tax return that they consider. There can be variations on this, in that in some circumstances if your past tax returns show a lower income they may want a little extra proof that you really do expect to be earning a similar amount in the future. So long as you have some kind of assets though you shouldn't even have to worry about that possibility.

[Andrew_Qin 0]

Thanks, guys, for your input.

[Anh map 2,098]

IBusiness iventory would not be a good asset for the affidavit of support. Real property assets would be better. The income amount that is evaluated is line 22 of your most recent 1040. Take a few less deductions to get the 2010 return above the requirement.

Two good links from the State Dept. website for I-864 info: I 864 FAQ Preparing the I 864

[pushbrk 12,598]

As a self-employed person I know by experience that the IRA treats self-employed income with a degree of suspicion. I wonder if the same applies to immigration authorities when they evaluate a self-employed person's income and ability to support a foreign spouse.

In my own case I am concerned because my business has suffered losses each year over the last three years. This year we fared better and my 2010 tax returns will show an income just on the borderline of 125% above the poverty line for a family my size. I have considerable equity in my home and commercial property as well as inventory and other business assets that I own. According to the numbers, I should be fine -unless there is a double standard for the self-employed. If any of you guys have information or input on this, I would be grateful to hear what you have to say.

Thanks,

Andrew

Sorry for the typo, I meant "IRS."

There's not a double standard as such, just a standard to use line 22 on the recent tax return as the "current income". I would include a company financial statement and also use your assets, just to make sure. The I-864 instructions are pretty thorough on personal assets but don't mention company financials. I'd provide them anyway.

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

I think it doesn't matter if you're self employed or not as long as you're currently above the poverty guidelines, but your assets and property would certainly help too, there is no double standardsGood Luck

[Sam and Fen 41]

I own a business too and my income on the tax return was just about 125% of the poverty guidelines.

I had a cover letter on top of my financial documents when my then fiancee went for her interview.

The letter basically said my sales were X and my expenses were Y and income generated by the business was X - Y and I also attached some proof of X.

I went to ACH (which as I understand is history now) and explained to the VO that as a business entity I am allowed to write off a lot of expenses etc

(you get the idea).

She told me that the cover letter was a good idea.