I think I figured out my tax transcript dilema

[Myo 0]

My fiance presented my tax transcripts to the embassy in Ghana and was told that the documents were not correct. How could this be when I received the transcripts by fax and in the mail from the IRS? Today, I contacted the IRS and requested another copy of my transcripts - the format I received this time looked more formal than the one I originally received. The first one I received has a lot of numbers at the top that I figured the embassy was familiar with and tax information was clearly identifiable on the documents. I was surprised that it didn't have an IRS logo - but, it came from the IRS - I told them it was a visa process - how would I know that there might be another format. I questioned the IRS contact today about the two different formats - she told me that they did have multiple formats for transcripts. The one she sent to me today has the words TAX TRANSCRIPTS on the front page - should be no questions.

I haven't read on this site where anyone else has had this issue - but, I thought I would share it just in case. I feel so much better because I was truly at a loss for what we were going to do since we had already given the embassy the "transcripts" provided to me from the IRS.

Fiance has another appointment on 10/21 - fingers crossed, prayers being said - I am claiming it!

[thepizzadude 26]

Yes, this is true I received my transcripts by mail and went in to the local office and got a set and they were different but still contained the same info.

Good Luck

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My fiance presented my tax transcripts to the embassy in Ghana and was told that the documents were not correct. How could this be when I received the transcripts by fax and in the mail from the IRS? Today, I contacted the IRS and requested another copy of my transcripts - the format I received this time looked more formal than the one I originally received. The first one I received has a lot of numbers at the top that I figured the embassy was familiar with and tax information was clearly identifiable on the documents. I was surprised that it didn't have an IRS logo - but, it came from the IRS - I told them it was a visa process - how would I know that there might be another format. I questioned the IRS contact today about the two different formats - she told me that they did have multiple formats for transcripts. The one she sent to me today has the words TAX TRANSCRIPTS on the front page - should be no questions.

I haven't read on this site where anyone else has had this issue - but, I thought I would share it just in case. I feel so much better because I was truly at a loss for what we were going to do since we had already given the embassy the "transcripts" provided to me from the IRS.

Fiance has another appointment on 10/21 - fingers crossed, prayers being said - I am claiming it!

well, glad you sorted that out. Good luck the next time. Some consulates are just impossible sometimes. Just 14 days.

[Myo 0]

My fiance presented my tax transcripts to the embassy in Ghana and was told that the documents were not correct. How could this be when I received the transcripts by fax and in the mail from the IRS? Today, I contacted the IRS and requested another copy of my transcripts - the format I received this time looked more formal than the one I originally received. The first one I received has a lot of numbers at the top that I figured the embassy was familiar with and tax information was clearly identifiable on the documents. I was surprised that it didn't have an IRS logo - but, it came from the IRS - I told them it was a visa process - how would I know that there might be another format. I questioned the IRS contact today about the two different formats - she told me that they did have multiple formats for transcripts. The one she sent to me today has the words TAX TRANSCRIPTS on the front page - should be no questions.

I haven't read on this site where anyone else has had this issue - but, I thought I would share it just in case. I feel so much better because I was truly at a loss for what we were going to do since we had already given the embassy the "transcripts" provided to me from the IRS.

Fiance has another appointment on 10/21 - fingers crossed, prayers being said - I am claiming it!

well, glad you sorted that out. Good luck the next time. Some consulates are just impossible sometimes. Just 14 days.

Amen to that! As always, thank you for your input. It has helped me on more than one occassion.

[marl 0]

My fiance presented my tax transcripts to the embassy in Ghana and was told that the documents were not correct. How could this be when I received the transcripts by fax and in the mail from the IRS? Today, I contacted the IRS and requested another copy of my transcripts - the format I received this time looked more formal than the one I originally received. The first one I received has a lot of numbers at the top that I figured the embassy was familiar with and tax information was clearly identifiable on the documents. I was surprised that it didn't have an IRS logo - but, it came from the IRS - I told them it was a visa process - how would I know that there might be another format. I questioned the IRS contact today about the two different formats - she told me that they did have multiple formats for transcripts. The one she sent to me today has the words TAX TRANSCRIPTS on the front page - should be no questions.

I haven't read on this site where anyone else has had this issue - but, I thought I would share it just in case. I feel so much better because I was truly at a loss for what we were going to do since we had already given the embassy the "transcripts" provided to me from the IRS.

Fiance has another appointment on 10/21 - fingers crossed, prayers being said - I am claiming it!

Goodluck girl!!! the info u provided regarding the transcripts was very very helpful i actually just called in and ordered mine thru the irs auto system and shd get them within 10-15 days, i am just trying to get things together for when my fiance is scheduled for an interview date. Since your fiance is at this step to getting closer to getting his visa if u dont mind i have a question for you, my petition approval has already been sent to embassy and per email correspondence they claim a letter for my fiance to come to embassy had been sent since sept 14 and to allow time for delivery; it is now oct 18 and he's still waiting, what was ur process for initial letter from us embassy and how long before your fiance actually received that in the mail?

[Starlight95 1]

Are tax transcripts really necessary? I mean shouldn't copy of your tax returns be suffice. Does it really make a difference?

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Are tax transcripts really necessary? I mean shouldn't copy of your tax returns be suffice. Does it really make a difference?

Depends on the consulate, since they have a lot of discretion when it comes to the "public charge" evidence. For example, the consulate in Ho Chi Minh City specifically asks for transcripts, but says they'll accept a copy of the tax returns and supporting documents in some cases. Other consulates specifically ask for the tax returns, and don't even mention transcripts, but they usually will accept transcripts anyway.

The thing is that anyone can download tax forms from the IRS website and write anything they want on them. It's also really easy to make W-2's, 1099's, or any other supporting "documents" you want to make. My accounting software prints out very good looking W2's! If somebody wanted to put together a convincing set of tax return documents that showed ample income, it wouldn't take more than an hour.

Tax transcripts, on the other hand, come from the IRS and show the actual amounts recorded into the IRS computers when the tax return was received. Tax transcripts more or less prove that a tax return was actually filed with the numbers indicated. Tax returns only prove that somebody filled out some forms. It doesn't cost anything to get tax transcripts, and you can get them by mail in less than two weeks, or by FAX usually the same day you ask for them.

[thongd4me 69]

Are tax transcripts really necessary? I mean shouldn't copy of your tax returns be suffice. Does it really make a difference?

Depends on the consulate, since they have a lot of discretion when it comes to the "public charge" evidence. For example, the consulate in Ho Chi Minh City specifically asks for transcripts, but says they'll accept a copy of the tax returns and supporting documents in some cases. Other consulates specifically ask for the tax returns, and don't even mention transcripts, but they usually will accept transcripts anyway.

The thing is that anyone can download tax forms from the IRS website and write anything they want on them. It's also really easy to make W-2's, 1099's, or any other supporting "documents" you want to make. My accounting software prints out very good looking W2's! If somebody wanted to put together a convincing set of tax return documents that showed ample income, it wouldn't take more than an hour.

Tax transcripts, on the other hand, come from the IRS and show the actual amounts recorded into the IRS computers when the tax return was received. Tax transcripts more or less prove that a tax return was actually filed with the numbers indicated. Tax returns only prove that somebody filled out some forms. It doesn't cost anything to get tax transcripts, and you can get them by mail in less than two weeks, or by FAX usually the same day you ask for them.

Agree 100%.

Tax transcripts are preferred because they are a record of actual tax paid, not something you made up

to look like tax data from forms universally available.

One more good reason: I got 3 years of tax transcripts with a free 800 number call to the IRS;

the transcrips came in about 2 weeks and cost me nothing.

You can also get a copy of the actual forms you filed from the IRS but they cost $35 for each year I believe.

No percentage in doing that when transcripts fit the bill.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Are tax transcripts really necessary? I mean shouldn't copy of your tax returns be suffice. Does it really make a difference?

Tax returns usually suffice. This was Ghana. The consulate can determine what suffices, they can determine different things suffice for different people on different days or by different COs.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Are tax transcripts really necessary? I mean shouldn't copy of your tax returns be suffice. Does it really make a difference?

Depends on the consulate, since they have a lot of discretion when it comes to the "public charge" evidence. For example, the consulate in Ho Chi Minh City specifically asks for transcripts, but says they'll accept a copy of the tax returns and supporting documents in some cases. Other consulates specifically ask for the tax returns, and don't even mention transcripts, but they usually will accept transcripts anyway.

The thing is that anyone can download tax forms from the IRS website and write anything they want on them. It's also really easy to make W-2's, 1099's, or any other supporting "documents" you want to make. My accounting software prints out very good looking W2's! If somebody wanted to put together a convincing set of tax return documents that showed ample income, it wouldn't take more than an hour.

Tax transcripts, on the other hand, come from the IRS and show the actual amounts recorded into the IRS computers when the tax return was received. Tax transcripts more or less prove that a tax return was actually filed with the numbers indicated. Tax returns only prove that somebody filled out some forms. It doesn't cost anything to get tax transcripts, and you can get them by mail in less than two weeks, or by FAX usually the same day you ask for them.

Agree 100%.

Tax transcripts are preferred because they are a record of actual tax paid, not something you made up

to look like tax data from forms universally available.

One more good reason: I got 3 years of tax transcripts with a free 800 number call to the IRS;

the transcrips came in about 2 weeks and cost me nothing.

You can also get a copy of the actual forms you filed from the IRS but they cost $35 for each year I believe.

No percentage in doing that when transcripts fit the bill.

Well, yes and no. They are a record of what was actually filed with the IRS which does NOT mean they are accurate or correct or honest. Unless they have been thouroghly audited, a transcript is no more than a re-iteration of a tax return. But yes, for whatever reason, tax transcripts seem to be preferred and are easy to get. I guess they think if you tell the same lie to more than one government agency, it is the truth.