AOS Question

[Jim Brown 5]

Question about the AOS packet:

I can't send the tax transcript for 2010 b/c I filed married and had to apply for an ITIN, so it isn't processed yet. I intended on sending a copy of the actually 10-40 and the W4s, but my wife and I actually submitted the 10-40 in front of an IRS agent in London so that we didn't have to send original documents but just had to show them. Since we signed and gave the 10-40 to the guy at the embassy, I don't have a signed copy of the 10-40. The question is: Do I need to have my wife print off a copy, sign it, and mail it to me so I can sign it as well and send it in, or is it okay to just sign it myself (not forge her name, obviously), and just write "Copy of filed 10-40" under that where her signature would typically go? Is that likely to generate an RFE? Every last thing about the copy is the same, just absent her signature. Thanks,

-Jim

[Norwood 6]

Joint returns need to have both signatures. You don't have a NVC # yet so you won't be slowed down if she can FEDEX a signed copy to you. I wouldn't take a chance on the RFE.

[Jim Brown 5]

Since its a copy, it won't matter if she faxes it right?

[Bleauwolf 9]

Hi Jim,

Regarding the tax stuff in your question. NO originals are required, ONLY COPIES. (Ref: Section 25/ first paragraph of the AOS I-864 Instructions) The 2 choices, as you know are:

1) Tax 1040 form / W-2 form from employer (NOT W-4 as you stated in your question). / and 1099 (if applicable)

-OR-

2) IRS Tax Transcript only. (You've already explained about this.)

Since it's a joint return, you both need to sign the copy. If not, I believe it will possibly cause an RFE and/or a delay at the least.

Don't waste money on an express courier service. My suggestion would be. Have your wife print a copy and sign it and send it to you. Rather than by fax, I strongly suggest the signed form be scanned (as .pdf) and emailed to you. This will create a back-up file and also print much cleaner and clearer. If she doesn't have access to a scanner, I'm certain there's no problem finding a print shop in London that can do it for her.

During my wife's process we had several things to sign together (and she was in China). We used the print / sign / scan way to get a lot of things done which would have otherwise either cost a fortune in express courier service or taken many weeks by mail. We had absolutely no issues / RFE's / or scrutiny on the part of NVC for any of the documents we submitted.

Very Best Wishes,

~Bleauwolf