Concerning income requirements as the petitioner

[USAGirl UKBoy 0]

Hi and thanks for your time! i would like any info about sponsorship for my UK fiance. do I qualify to sponsor him (am I considered financially dependable) even though I am a bartender in the state of Texas making $2.15 an hour plus tips? As some of you may know, i make most of my money in tips. My tax returns do state that I make above the minimum to qualify, (125% above the poverty line) but my question is, will i face any issues with this? And also, would it behoove me to get letters from my employers stating what i truly make? thank you

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi and thanks for your time! i would like any info about sponsorship for my UK fiance. do I qualify to sponsor him (am I considered financially dependable) even though I am a bartender in the state of Texas making $2.15 an hour plus tips? As some of you may know, i make most of my money in tips. My tax returns do state that I make above the minimum to qualify, (125% above the poverty line) but my question is, will i face any issues with this? And also, would it behoove me to get letters from my employers stating what i truly make? thank you

If you make above the requirement then you will not have a problem. They do not make judgements on peoples' jobs as long as it is legal employment. You need to verify your employment and income. The consulate instructions state you can present as evidence...

1. Most recent tax return

2. Employment letter

3. Bank letter/ bank statements

4. check stubs

Any other evidence you have to verify your income.

[Coach411 0]

Get your last three year tax transcripts and you will be fine!

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

And also, would it behoove me to get letters from my employers stating what i truly make? thank you

Any reason why the amount you "truly make" is different from the amount on your tax return?

I realize that people who get tips often do not report all of their income, but it's still cheating not to report it. It wouldn't be a wise move to tell the IRS that your income is X and then try to prove to a US consulate that your real income is Y.

[belinda63 3,038]

If your reported tips are sufficient to meet the poverty requirements then you will be ok. I was in the same situation but made sure what I reported (I reported my tips in the computer when I clocked out) was enough to cover us.

[NoneYa 73]

I am putting this I-134 and financial documents together right now but I am leaving for the Philippines in a week and our application is at NVC now. I make plenty of money to qualify and I will supply the last 2 years of IRS forms with my final paychecks of this year. Do I need a bank letter ? Or can I print out the information from their online web site ?

I guess I could always Fed Ex this document later to her.

[USAGirl UKBoy 0]

Thank you for you replies. As far as what I mean by 'truly make', i know that i need the past 3 years tax returns, yet two of those years i believe I made less than 125% above the poverty line. However, this year and in 2011 i made well above 125% above the poverty line. Will this years income be sufficient for USCIS or will i need a sponsor?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thank you for you replies. As far as what I mean by 'truly make', i know that i need the past 3 years tax returns, yet two of those years i believe I made less than 125% above the poverty line. However, this year and in 2011 i made well above 125% above the poverty line. Will this years income be sufficient for USCIS or will i need a sponsor?

1. The amount you made for the last three years is no timportant. You are not required to qualify for the current guidelines with income from 3 years ago. They will go by your current income. CURRENT income.

2. You only need ONE income tax return for the I-134 (most recent year)

3. You will not be showing the I-134 to the USCIS, you will be showing it to the consulate, the Department of State.

If you CURRENTLY, the day you prepare the I-134, make enough you should have no problem at all.

USCIS will review a different affidavit, the I-864, AFTER your fiancee arrives, you get married and apply for AOS. The same basic rules apply to that one. For the AOS you will again attach ONE year tax return and make a statement of gross earnings from the previous two years before that. You will NOT need to present three years tax returns unless they ask for them, which they can, so best to have them prepared in case they tell you to being them to the interview.

For the citizenship application, some years down the road, your then spouse will have to provide THREE years income tax returns to show he has met his obligations to file taxes, the amount earned is irrelevent.

[dreamcometrue4 0]

1. The amount you made for the last three years is no timportant. You are not required to qualify for the current guidelines with income from 3 years ago. They will go by your current income. CURRENT income.

2. You only need ONE income tax return for the I-134 (most recent year)

3. You will not be showing the I-134 to the USCIS, you will be showing it to the consulate, the Department of State.

If you CURRENTLY, the day you prepare the I-134, make enough you should have no problem at all.

USCIS will review a different affidavit, the I-864, AFTER your fiancee arrives, you get married and apply for AOS. The same basic rules apply to that one. For the AOS you will again attach ONE year tax return and make a statement of gross earnings from the previous two years before that. You will NOT need to present three years tax returns unless they ask for them, which they can, so best to have them prepared in case they tell you to being them to the interview.

For the citizenship application, some years down the road, your then spouse will have to provide THREE years income tax returns to show he has met his obligations to file taxes, the amount earned is irrelevent.

Gary and Alla, thank you for answering this question so thoroughly. Have been wondering regarding this since last tax return does not meet requirement but current income does. So happy to get this answer via another visa journey members inquiry. This site is TERRIFIC!!!

[USAGirl UKBoy 0]

this is great information! It helps me and everyone so much in this daunting process. Thank you for the details!