Tax Returns and tax transcripts

[tyme 0]

Hello Good people of this forum,

My window opens soon to file for naturalization through marriage.I have one confusion from reading some threads.What is the current trend now in this process concerning tax returns and tax transcripts.

We have copies of our tax returns for the past three years.So,we are planning to send basically all the documents we sent during the 751 process including all utility bills and lease agreements amongst others along with my N400 AND copies of 3 years tax returns.

If we send these,does it mean when they letter for interview comes,I will still be asked to bring the tax transcripts.I just want to know the trend today so I know how to prepare.

Also,is the Durham office in NC working now?

Thanks a lot...

T.

[Dakine 26]

Hello Good people of this forum,

My window opens soon to file for naturalization through marriage.I have one confusion from reading some threads.What is the current trend now in this process concerning tax returns and tax transcripts.

We have copies of our tax returns for the past three years.So,we are planning to send basically all the documents we sent during the 751 process including all utility bills and lease agreements amongst others along with my N400 AND copies of 3 years tax returns.

If we send these,does it mean when they letter for interview comes,I will still be asked to bring the tax transcripts.I just want to know the trend today so I know how to prepare.

Also,is the Durham office in NC working now?

Thanks a lot...

T.

Tax transcripts "hold more weight" than returns. I just got the last 3 years and it only took 10 days or so. 1-800-829-1040.

[tyme 0]

Thank you so much for your response.

I understand it holding more weight.My confusion is in the requirement.Which one am I required to submit and if i submit my return is it unacceptable?will or can the officer require me to bring my transcripts?

is the interview letter a standard one or it is different for everyone,asking to bring different/specific documents.

[Dakine 26]

Thank you so much for your response.

I understand it holding more weight.My confusion is in the requirement.Which one am I required to submit and if i submit my return is it unacceptable?will or can the officer require me to bring my transcripts?

is the interview letter a standard one or it is different for everyone,asking to bring different/specific documents.

Alls I can say is we submitted both returns and transcripts for the embassy interview and AOS. Tax returns don't seem to be "looked at" that close for naturalization. Just so have record you filed.

Don't think it matters how much you made.

[lucyrich 20]

We filed the N-400 in January, before we had filed our taxes for the previous year. The interview happened at the end of May, so we had filed by then, but the IRS transcript number said that a transcript wasn't yet available for the previous year. So we had transcripts for the early years, but only a photocopy of our most recent tax return. It wasn't a problem.

Since transcripts are free, easy to get, and they're printed in a condensed format that typically doesn't take up as many sheets of paper as a full tax return, there's really no reason not to use them if available. Depending on how thick your returns are, you might even save on postage by using transcripts instead of photocopies.

If you're in a hurry to mail things off, and you only have photocopies, go with them. But if you've got a week's advance notice, get transcripts.

Either way, make the phone call to order those transcripts today so you'll have them in time for the interview.

I could be wrong, but I believe the only thing they check is your filing status and that you don't owe back taxes to the IRS. They don't care if you made a lot or a little. They don't care about poverty guidelines.

[jtee 0]

I would suggest you mail the tax return transcripts with N-400 and take the account transctipts with you for the interview.

Both the transcripts are easy to get by calling the 800 #. They are free and arrive in a week.

Tax return transcipt show all the line items in the tax return, but does not state whether you owe any tax or not for the year. It does not show any payment made with of after submission of the return.

Account transcipt is concise, shows only summary items, but also shows the account balance. It also shows the penalties and interest paid (if any) after submission of the return. If it states an account balance of zero, it is a proof that you do not owe anything to IRS.

The return and account transcripts are good doucments to obtain and keep in file even outside the context of naturalization.

[tyme 0]

Thanks guys for your replies.

I do understand all that you have said,it's just that hubby and I are arguing about what the guidelines says.It says OR...we just want to know if they absolutely want the transcripts or if they will accept the returns and not ask for transcripts.

[moonhunt 1]

Thank you so much for your response.

I understand it holding more weight.My confusion is in the requirement.Which one am I required to submit and if i submit my return is it unacceptable?will or can the officer require me to bring my transcripts?

is the interview letter a standard one or it is different for everyone,asking to bring different/specific documents.

Alls I can say is we submitted both returns and transcripts for the embassy interview and AOS. Tax returns don't seem to be "looked at" that close for naturalization. Just so have record you filed.

Don't think it matters how much you made.

Let's look at their - Interview officer - viewpoint.

Tax transcripts - either tax return transcript or tax account transcript - consume less space, easy to read, and certified by IRS.

If you can, please use tax transcripts.

That will help interview officer and other USCIS people.

As otherpeople pointed out already, it is free, and it takes only 10 days for tax return transcript.

You can fax the request if you are tired of holding on phone line.

Tax account transcript will take more time. It said up to 30 days.

The difference between tax return transcript and tax account transcript is before/after IRS adjustification.

Tax return transcript is based on the info you submitted.

Tax account transcript is based on the info after IRS adjusted the number by IRS.

Tax return transcript will take up to 10 days, and tax account transcript will take up to 30 days.

If you are lazy enough not to request this kind of info, you can use your copy of tax return, but it may give big Sigh to interview officer when they look at the stack of papers.

[NickD 203]

Did think about also purchasing a silver platter to place all of our evidence on. I mean, besides paying a huge fee, gathering all the information, making very long trips at their convenience, why not present all of the evidence on a silver platter? Seems only appropriate.

I mean as a record free high credit rating model citizen that always paid his taxes and served his country honorably, can't they just take my word with our marriage certificate that I married my wife to have and to hold her for better or for worse until death to us part? Instead, treated like a common criminal.

Ah, get the tax transcripts plus a ton of other stuff, and even a silver platter.

[Dakine 26]

I would suggest you mail the tax return transcripts with N-400 and take the account transctipts with you for the interview.

Both the transcripts are easy to get by calling the 800 #. They are free and arrive in a week.

Tax return transcipt show all the line items in the tax return, but does not state whether you owe any tax or not for the year. It does not show any payment made with of after submission of the return.

Account transcipt is concise, shows only summary items, but also shows the account balance. It also shows the penalties and interest paid (if any) after submission of the return. If it states an account balance of zero, it is a proof that you do not owe anything to IRS.

The return and account transcripts are good doucments to obtain and keep in file even outside the context of naturalization.

Does oweing back taxes or going bankrupt come into play when flling for USC?

[jtee 0]

I would suggest you mail the tax return transcripts with N-400 and take the account transctipts with you for the interview.

Both the transcripts are easy to get by calling the 800 #. They are free and arrive in a week.

Tax return transcipt show all the line items in the tax return, but does not state whether you owe any tax or not for the year. It does not show any payment made with of after submission of the return.

Account transcipt is concise, shows only summary items, but also shows the account balance. It also shows the penalties and interest paid (if any) after submission of the return. If it states an account balance of zero, it is a proof that you do not owe anything to IRS.

The return and account transcripts are good doucments to obtain and keep in file even outside the context of naturalization.

Does oweing back taxes or going bankrupt come into play when flling for USC?

Owing back taxes should not be an issues if one has a payment plan approved by IRS and there is adequate documentation as proof. I am not sure about bankruptcy - would require consultation with an immigration attorney. If both the situations exist, one should certainly consult an attorney.

[samantha_lou 0]

I sent off for the transcripts, simply because I think they show everything super neatly!