• Notarized copies of latest federal income tax return

[Didisan 0]

Hello everybody,

I have a question for you. Do the copies of the latest federal income tax return need to be notarized? I have read many different things and I am not sure what to do. Any help is appreciated!

have a great holiday season, merry Xmas!

[K and L 27]

Unless requested (at an interview, via RFE), they do not.

Notarizing is pretty much useless in determining the legitimacy of the return, so.. yeah.

Edited December 24, 2010 by K and L

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

NOT required.... Dont get it notarized.

[pushbrk 13,120]

NOT required.... Dont get it notarized.

What could a notary possibly attest to? Not needed.

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

What could a notary possibly attest to? Not needed.

Well understood but isn't necessary... Guess the poster could get it notarized if he/she want but still isn't necessary and not recommend as someone said earlier doesn't give any advances as to the legitimacy of that document...but the OP can.... Agree with u .... Not needed they can't attest to anything.... Ha not even a government official.

Edited December 24, 2010 by RICARDO4EVA2

[pushbrk 13,120]

Well understood but isn't necessary... Guess the poster could get it notarized if he/she want but still isn't necessary and not recommend as someone said earlier doesn't give any advances as to the legitimacy of that document...but the OP can.... Agree with u .... Not needed they can't attest to anything.... Ha not even a government official.

US Notaries attest to signatures primarily. In some states they can attest to a copy being a true copy of an original document, if they make the copy but this would be silly for a tax return copy. It's already a copy, not an original. Further, you can print a tax return that you never filed, so notarizing a copy of a "tax return" would be meaningless.

Usually, these questions come from folks who simply have no clue as to the function of a Notary.

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

You're funny... And so right.......!

[Que Saudade 284]

If I read the instructions for filing correctly, it states you do not need to notarize as your signature is attesting to "the contents of your affidavit of support that you sign are true under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States". So, basically, if you lie you not only risk your application being denied, but facing some serious charges. All the information is in the instructions PDF that you download.

[Didisan 0]

Thank you everyone for your help:-)

[yonglin 1]

*****REVIVING OLD TOPIC*******

With packet 3, the embassy sent me (hard copy of) a document called "Evidence which may be presented to meet the public charge provision of the law". The bottom of the form says DS-2000, 8-1999. It seems this form is not sent out by all embassies, but it was sent out by mine (STK). I think the most important part of this form is (my bold)

To substantiate the information regarding income and resources the sponsor should attach two or more of the following items to the affidavit:

1. Notarized copies of his or her latest income tax return;

2. A statement from his or her employer showing salary and the length and permanency of employment;

3. A statement from an officer of a bank regarding his or her account, the date the account was opened, and the present balance;

4. Any other evidence adequate to establish financial ability to carry out his or her undertaking toward the applicant for what might be an indefinite period of time.

Lacking great sums in bank accounts, we figured 1 and 2 would be the most feasible. However, the instructions for I-134 (also in my packet 3) states that tax returns are required only if the sponsor is self-employed. It also says nothing about the tax returns being notarized.

Anyway, suppose we want to follow the instructions on the instruction sheet we were sent (better safe than sorry!). For simplicity, suppose the tax returns in question were prepared by an accountant and that the petitioner has an electronic copy which he printed, signed, and submitted to the IRS. If he printed out the tax return again, what would the notary do? Notarize his signature? Surely the notary cannot notarize that it's a "true copy" given that the there is no original to compare it to?

None of the instructions I was sent say that "tax transcripts" can substitute for tax returns (although it seems to be common knowledge here that this is possible most of the time?!). Is there something for the petitioner to sign on those that can be notarized?

Grateful for any ideas!

Edited December 13, 2011 by yonglin

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

*****REVIVING OLD TOPIC*******

With packet 3, the embassy sent me (hard copy of) a document called "Evidence which may be presented to meet the public charge provision of the law". The bottom of the form says DS-2000, 8-1999. It seems this form is not sent out by all embassies, but it was sent out by mine (STK). I think the most important part of this form is (my bold)

Lacking great sums in bank accounts, we figured 1 and 2 would be the most feasible. However, the instructions for I-134 (also in my packet 3) states that tax returns are required only if the sponsor is self-employed. It also says nothing about the tax returns being notarized.

Anyway, suppose we want to follow the instructions on the instruction sheet we were sent (better safe than sorry!). For simplicity, suppose the tax returns in question were prepared by an accountant and that the petitioner has an electronic copy which he printed, signed, and submitted to the IRS. If he printed out the tax return again, what would the notary do? Notarize his signature? Surely the notary cannot notarize that it's a "true copy" given that the there is no original to compare it to?

None of the instructions I was sent say that "tax transcripts" can substitute for tax returns (although it seems to be common knowledge here that this is possible most of the time?!). Is there something for the petitioner to sign on those that can be notarized?

Grateful for any ideas!

First, forget the instructions that come with the I-134. They're useless. The I-134 is an old INS form that USCIS doesn't even use anymore. The instructions are from a time when INS used it as the only affidavit of support. The IIRIRA required a legally enforceable affidavit of support, and INS/USCIS replaced the I-134 with the I-864. Consulates still use the I-134 for screening non-immigrant visa applicants for the public charge requirement. You should follow the consulate's instructions, which brings me to...

I suspect the instructions you got from the consulate are old. The Foreign Affairs Manual directs consular officers that neither the affidavit of support nor the supporting documents are required to be notarized. It indicates that the oath portion of the affidavit is sufficient affirmation that the affidavit and supporting documents are true and correct, since the affidavit is signed under penalty of perjury. However, the instructions in the FAM are specifically for the I-864. 9 FAM 40.41 N4.6-3 specifically talks about the I-134, but makes no mention of notarizing the affidavit or supporting documents. Since the I-134 is also signed under penalty of perjury I would presume the same guidance applies.

I'd suggest an email to the consulate to clear things up. I doubt they require the tax return to be notarized, since it appears to be contrary to the guidance in the FAM, and I've never heard of a consulate that didn't accept IRS transcripts. If they tell you to get it notarized then the only thing the notary will be attesting to is your signature, so don't sign the return until you're in front of the notary.