Help with filing in Australia

[kaffy 2]

Have any of you started transfering money back to the States yet? The TT rate for ANZ today is pretty good (0.9535) so I might send some money tonight

Edited July 3, 2008 by kaffy

[loz9 0]

I haven't yet. It's probably a good idea though. I need to open another bank account in the US though. I think I closed all my accounts when I moved over here.

[Rissa 0]

Hey all, I'd like to jump in here since I have a question about taxes and you mentioned them earlier in the thread. I also did not file the last two years because I haven't made ANY income here or in the States, and so I was going to just write a letter explaining that, but now I wonder if they need me to file anyhow? Our interview date is in less than a week! Could I possibly get that done in time?

[faith0922 0]

Hey all, I'd like to jump in here since I have a question about taxes and you mentioned them earlier in the thread. I also did not file the last two years because I haven't made ANY income here or in the States, and so I was going to just write a letter explaining that, but now I wonder if they need me to file anyhow? Our interview date is in less than a week! Could I possibly get that done in time?

Hi Rissa Welcome to the thread...

Now... TAXES...

Loz and Rissa, you might want to look at this. Page 8 of Form I-864, item 25. Federal Income Tax Information, last paragraph.

"If you were required to file a Federal income tax return during any of the previous three tax years but did not do so, you must file any and all late returns with IRS and attach an IRS-generated tax return transcript documenting your late filing before submitting the I-864 Affidavit of Support. If you were not required to file a Federal income tax return under U.S. tax law because your income was too low, attach a written explanation. If you were not required to file a Federal income tax return under U.S. tax law for any other reason, attach a written explanation including evidence of the exemption and how you are subject to it. Residence outside of the United States does not exempt U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents from filing a U.S. Federal income tax return. See"Filing Requirements" in the IRS Form 1040 Filing Instructions to determine whether you were required to file."

I panicked when I read this, coz I was counting on just providing photocopies of my husband's tax forms. But based on my understanding of this clause, it seems like my husband IS required to provide an official IRS statement. When he called the IRS a couple of weeks ago, he was told that back files cannot be done online, and it normally takes longer to process, compared to on-time taxes.

Ok... now is the time for any or all of you to tell me that I am mistaken by my understanding of that paragraph. PLEASE?!

Going back to the link I sent earlier... it appears to me that camistanbul sent the photocopies of her 1040 with their petition application, but in our experience the tax documents are not even required for the petition (unless it's different in Turkey).

[kaffy 2]

Taxes are annoying aren't they For my application I will be submitting a photocopy of my husband's 2007 1040 form, and official IRS transcripts of his 2006 and 2005 tax returns. He requested them a few weeks ago and they were mailed to his parent's house soon after. I'm not sure if they have processed the 2007 tax return yet or not so I'll just send the photocopy first

[Rissa 0]

So this:

If you were not required to file a Federal income tax return under U.S. tax law because your income was too low, attach a written explanation.

Would probably refer to me? Because we've already done this, not that it was difficult.

[loz9 0]

So this:

If you were not required to file a Federal income tax return under U.S. tax law because your income was too low, attach a written explanation.

Would probably refer to me? Because we've already done this, not that it was difficult.

Hi Rissa! I would think you are right on this. Do you know what the income limits are for needing to file? Good luck at your appointment! It's next week right?

[Rissa 0]

Yep, and thanks! It's next Tuesday. We figure that we're just going to bring what we have with what we understand and let them tell us what to do from there. We don't have a set schedule, just sort of a "hope to leave by," so if we have extra documentation to give them it wouldn't be a huge deal, I'm just worried that with this whole domicile issue we may have to be separated.

[kaffy 2]

Good luck at your interview Rissa!

I'm getting my medical exam done tomorrow... will be having my 3rd chest x-ray in as many years How many times do I have to prove that I am TB free?!

[loz9 0]

Good luck at your medical appointment kaffy! Let us know how it goes!

[kaffy 2]

Hi all, just reporting back about my medical

I arrived at the medical center a little early so the receptionist went through all my paperwork first and also asked for my urine sample. Unfortunately there was no restroom in the surgery so I had to go up three flights of escalators and use the restrooms in the Sofitel lobby. I felt rather awkward carrying a urine sample around in public but I'm thankful they gave me a brown paper bag to put the jar in I quickly returned to the doctor's office, had a small wait then got called in to see the doctor.

First he went through the list of required vaccinations with me using the Immunization summary I obtained from my GP. He determined I needed a MMR booster shot and luckily it was covered by Medicare so I wasn't charged. Next the doctor went through a list of yes/no questions to me. I.e. Do you smoke, take drugs, suffer from diabetes, have heart disease, etc. Fairly standard medical questions. Final step was the physical, again fairly standard. Girls do require a breast exam though, I'm not sure what the male equivalent is?

That was it for the medical exam. The doctor gave me referrals for my chest x-ray and blood test so I went and got those done next. Both were fairly quick but there was a bit of a wait on the x-ray results so I went and ran some errands in the meantime. I collected the film as soon as it were ready and returned to the doctor's office. The receptionist took out the findings letter, told me everything was normal, then gave the x-ray back to me and said that although I don't have to take the film to Sydney for my interview, I do have to make sure it comes with me to the States when I move. My blood work results will come back in about 2 days and after that I'll be able to pick up all my results and forms.

Total damage of the day

Medical examination $253.00

Chest X-ray $99.00

Blood test $91.35

TOTAL $443.35

[loz9 0]

Girls do require a breast exam though, I'm not sure what the male equivalent is?

Turn your head a cough??

Glad to hear it went well, kaffy. When do you think you'll send the DS2001 to tell them you're ready to proceed? I wonder how long it will take to get an interview. Rissa, how long did it take from the time you sent DS2001 to your interview date?

The police check (for us) should take 10 days, but I've heard that Victoria's usually pretty quick when it comes to processing, so maybe quicker? MH went and had his fingerprints done today so we will be sending off the forms tomorrow. I'm hoping to have my taxes taken care of and everything ready to send off by the time we get back from Bali on the 23rd. Do you guys think that if I include a letter with a copy of my flight itinerary (I'm leaving on Aug 3rd for the US to get ready for school) that we may be able to get an appointment in Sydney quicker? I'm worried that by the time my husband can get an appointment that I will be gone. I really want to go with him. I know it's not necessary, but it would be a 'nice to have'.

Faith have you made and progress on your packet 3 yet??

Hope everyone's well. Bye for now!

[faith0922 0]

Hi guys!

Thanks for relating your medical exams experience kaffy. What's the MMR booster?

I haven't really made much progress with my Packet 3. Haven't even sent my DS-230 yet. But thanks for asking loz I'll have my fingerprints taken on Wednesday though, so I guess that's progress. Still can't make an appointment for my medical exams since I don't have the Varicella vaccine yet. I'm seeing my GP on Wednesday re getting the required shots. As I read from the link Kaffy posted, the 2nd dose is administered 4-6 weeks after the 1st one. So I might have to wait 4 more weeks before I can get an appointment. Hmmm...I wonder if I could get my medical appointment after the first shot.

We're still somehow stuck on hubby's taxes. He's not filed for quite some time, so that might take forever to process. Hopefully we can work something out so we don't get separated. Hope your hubby's visa gets approved soon, loz, so you can go to the US together. Same on your visa too kaffy! Really wishing hard that none of us gets separated. Btw, which state would you guys be in?

Anyways, it's almost midnight, and my mind's getting foggy. Hope you guys are doing well.

Good luck on your visa appointment Rissa! Do let us know how it goes.

Will keep you posted when I make any more progress.

[kaffy 2]

Hi Faith, MMR is the measles mumps and rubella vaccine. I had my first shot in my teens and now the federal government recommend that those in their early 20s receive a booster shot which is why the doctor gave me one. Have you had the chicken pox before? Because if you have, you won't need to get the varicella vaccine.

We're moving to Seattle (Washington). How about you guys?

Loz- I actually sent the Consulate an email asking if I could submit my DS-2001 to them now, receive an interview date, then forward my Japanese police check to them once I receive it. I asked for an interview date around 18 August because I should have my police check before then and it'll be before my husband flys back to the US. Hope they are kind to both of us

[loz9 0]

We're moving to Seattle (Washington). How about you guys?

Loz- I actually sent the Consulate an email asking if I could submit my DS-2001 to them now, receive an interview date, then forward my Japanese police check to them once I receive it. I asked for an interview date around 18 August because I should have my police check before then and it'll be before my husband flys back to the US. Hope they are kind to both of us

Ohh I may have to e-mail them and ask them the same thing..Let me know what they tell you!

We are going to be in Alabama. Should be interesting. We'll only be there for 2-3 years when I'm in school. We'll probably move to Florida (where my family is) after that.