2007 TAX RETURN

[nugroove 0]

I just received an email that my PETITION has been approved. My question is this, I had been out of the country for the last two years, i just got back march of last year and only started working in april, so I only made about 20,000 last year, will that be enough to send as part of the affidavit of support or do I need to attach a letter explaining that I only worked part of the year. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated . Thanks

[SnowyTater 0]

Whoo I know nothing about money it terrifies me

I think $20,000 is still well over the poverty level, you have to be 125% above that to not need a co-sponsor. I've had it in my head that the poverty level is $12,000 for ages but I don't know...where I actually got this from.

So it depends nugroove. Do you have any other dependents? If you do, you have to factor them into the amount of money you "need" to get your fiance here on just your own. You can also use any assets you have to bolster your income but like I said I'm pretty sure $20K is well above the poverty level.

The guides and the actual instructions for the Affidavit should explain all of this and give the formula for calculating how much money you need.

As far as the attaching a note thing goes, I recommend that you do tell them you only worked part of last year, and why. We had a fair few notes in our petition to explain anything that looked a little weird. I've heard that they don't like gaps in time, gaps in where you've lived, gaps in jobs, etc. like that - i.e., things left unexplained. On the other hand, filling out the forms shouldn't be anything intimidating or too formal or anything. Like I said, we had a bunch of handwritten notes, attachments, white outs, etc, and we got our approval pretty fast without any RFE's so I say if there's ever any question about anything add additional explanation

[nugroove 0]

Whoo I know nothing about money it terrifies me

I think $20,000 is still well over the poverty level, you have to be 125% above that to not need a co-sponsor. I've had it in my head that the poverty level is $12,000 for ages but I don't know...where I actually got this from.

So it depends nugroove. Do you have any other dependents? If you do, you have to factor them into the amount of money you "need" to get your fiance here on just your own. You can also use any assets you have to bolster your income but like I said I'm pretty sure $20K is well above the poverty level.

The guides and the actual instructions for the Affidavit should explain all of this and give the formula for calculating how much money you need.

As far as the attaching a note thing goes, I recommend that you do tell them you only worked part of last year, and why. We had a fair few notes in our petition to explain anything that looked a little weird. I've heard that they don't like gaps in time, gaps in where you've lived, gaps in jobs, etc. like that - i.e., things left unexplained. On the other hand, filling out the forms shouldn't be anything intimidating or too formal or anything. Like I said, we had a bunch of handwritten notes, attachments, white outs, etc, and we got our approval pretty fast without any RFE's so I say if there's ever any question about anything add additional explanation

I do not have any other dependents, I think I should be fine because I will include my paystubs from this which should show that I make over 40,000 a yr, will need to include my bank statement. Would it matter If I just opened the account as I had to close my previous account because I was not happy with the bank. Thanks. I am just so excited because I was not expecting the approval this fast. Thanks

[Jesse and Hema 2]

Just FYI, here is the 2008 poverty guidelines.

They are most concerned with current income. However, they like to see that you've head stable income for "a while", but I don't believe it will be a problem if you document everything well, especially if you show good reason for not working the full year. (what was your reason for unemployment? Were you a student?)

[SnowyTater 0]

Thanks Jesse, this is something I should see too...I'm so lazy xD Rather than google something for someone with a question I just say "I don't know...did you google it?" which takes just as long.

See, according to this you're well above the poverty guideline so I wouldn't even worry about assets or anything nugroove, in which case I don't think you need to show anything about your bank account do you? You do need a statement from your bank though I think. (I'm sorry I don't know for sure. I'm actually at the exact same stage as you and we're holding off the Affidavits a few weeks to postpone things).

But yes: I do know that when your salary is plenty, which it is, you don't need to show any information about your assets. So I think just your paystubs, your tax returns, and a letter from your employers is good.

I don't think they'll care about any newly opened accounts at all either. Just that you're like...made of moneys

I know what you mean about getting the approval fast We were pretty taken back and unprepared. It's all a good thing though in the end and congratulations Good luck.

[nugroove 0]

Just FYI, here is the 2008 poverty guidelines.

They are most concerned with current income. However, they like to see that you've head stable income for "a while", but I don't believe it will be a problem if you document everything well, especially if you show good reason for not working the full year. (what was your reason for unemployment? Were you a student?)

I just took some time off and wanted to stay with fiance outside of the country, prior to that I had stable employment for 6 years prior. I have had stable employment since april of last year. Thanks

[Jesse and Hema 2]

But yes: I do know that when your salary is plenty, which it is, you don't need to show any information about your assets. So I think just your paystubs, your tax returns, and a letter from your employers is good.

When I was writing my first post, I didn't see your post about 40k income yet. If that's the case, you're over 2x the requirements and shouldn't have anything to worry about (and assets are not needed)

[nugroove 0]

Thanks Jesse, this is something I should see too...I'm so lazy xD Rather than google something for someone with a question I just say "I don't know...did you google it?" which takes just as long.

See, according to this you're well above the poverty guideline so I wouldn't even worry about assets or anything nugroove, in which case I don't think you need to show anything about your bank account do you? You do need a statement from your bank though I think. (I'm sorry I don't know for sure. I'm actually at the exact same stage as you and we're holding off the Affidavits a few weeks to postpone things).

But yes: I do know that when your salary is plenty, which it is, you don't need to show any information about your assets. So I think just your paystubs, your tax returns, and a letter from your employers is good.

I don't think they'll care about any newly opened accounts at all either. Just that you're like...made of moneys

I know what you mean about getting the approval fast We were pretty taken back and unprepared. It's all a good thing though in the end and congratulations Good luck.

Thanks and good luck.