Income issues

[Done--Really 331]

My fiancee and I have a complex problem--the dreaded 9© and we are dealing with that, but we also have another income issue that I would like some opinions on.

I spent most of my life working on Wall Street--no, I was not a multimillion dollar investment banker, but rather a normal, middle management employee with a decent salary, but certainly never got rich !! I was laid off about two years ago along with a zillion others, and decided to take a shot at an internet startup that is paying us all with stock and NO salary at all. So when I start down the getting married path, I will show two years of almost zero income, preceded by a year with a really big income due to a very hefty severance payment.

How do you think that will be viewed, and is there any way to go back more than three years to show that my income has been quite good in the past, and that I took a flier with a startup paying only in stock?? As to the value of the stock, it is essentially zero at this point.

Thank you

[Nik+Heather 121]

OK, I'm going to assume that since you aren't making any money, you must be living off of your assets/savings?

If your assets are 5x the poverty line (for AOS I864) or 3x the poverty line (for interview I134) then you don't need to show any income.

Otherwise, you'll need to get a cosponsor.

[Done--Really 331]

We have been living off savings, but that is getting pretty thin...thanks for the insight about assets.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My fiancee and I have a complex problem--the dreaded 9© and we are dealing with that, but we also have another income issue that I would like some opinions on.

I spent most of my life working on Wall Street--no, I was not a multimillion dollar investment banker, but rather a normal, middle management employee with a decent salary, but certainly never got rich !! I was laid off about two years ago along with a zillion others, and decided to take a shot at an internet startup that is paying us all with stock and NO salary at all. So when I start down the getting married path, I will show two years of almost zero income, preceded by a year with a really big income due to a very hefty severance payment.

How do you think that will be viewed, and is there any way to go back more than three years to show that my income has been quite good in the past, and that I took a flier with a startup paying only in stock?? As to the value of the stock, it is essentially zero at this point.

Thank you

It will be viewed exactly as it is. You had a good job, now you are unemployed and have -0- assets. Correct? I would get a co-sponsor lined up unless you have $60,000 or so in NET assets you can demonstrate. (for a family of two)

You are not required to show more than one year's tax return and there is little benefit in showing more. They are more interested in current income and how they will collect their money if you default on your obligation and your fiancee/wife becaose a public charge. They DO NOT care about you or your family, they want to know from where they will receive their money. They cannot take it out of your paycheck from 2, 3 or 10 years ago if you have no assets.

On another note, the federal government reuires you keep records of you tax returns for 3 years. I do not keep them for 3 years and one day. When the 2009 return is completed, I shred the 2006 return. Just sayin'

[baron555 934]

My fiancee and I have a complex problem--the dreaded 9© and we are dealing with that, but we also have another income issue that I would like some opinions on.

I spent most of my life working on Wall Street--no, I was not a multimillion dollar investment banker, but rather a normal, middle management employee with a decent salary, but certainly never got rich !! I was laid off about two years ago along with a zillion others, and decided to take a shot at an internet startup that is paying us all with stock and NO salary at all. So when I start down the getting married path, I will show two years of almost zero income, preceded by a year with a really big income due to a very hefty severance payment.

How do you think that will be viewed, and is there any way to go back more than three years to show that my income has been quite good in the past, and that I took a flier with a startup paying only in stock?? As to the value of the stock, it is essentially zero at this point.

Thank you

It's co-sponsor time, if your consulate will allow that. Some don't.