I-864 - just how necessary are the last THREE tax returns?

[lemayz 2]

Hi everybody,

I am starting to think about the I-864 (I am the USC applying for CR1 for my foreign husband), and I am wondering if I'd be ok with just sending last year's tax return (and not sending the other two). I definitely do not have enough income to be a sole sponsor, so my mother will be the joint sponsor and I will DEFINITELY send all three years of her tax returns.

I am realizing that I did my taxes taxes wrong in previous years becase of the foreign income exemption, and it might take quite a few months for me to able to fix it. I am still planning on fixing it, but in the meanwhile I'd like to wait until I file my taxes for 2011 and send in ONLY that tax return, since I will make sure to do it right this time. Will this be a problem? Could they request the other 2 years? It says that only one year is mandatory on the form...

Thanks!

[sctdixon 6]

Hi everybody,

I am starting to think about the I-864 (I am the USC applying for CR1 for my foreign husband), and I am wondering if I'd be ok with just sending last year's tax return (and not sending the other two). I definitely do not have enough income to be a sole sponsor, so my mother will be the joint sponsor and I will DEFINITELY send all three years of her tax returns.

I am realizing that I did my taxes taxes wrong in previous years becase of the foreign income exemption, and it might take quite a few months for me to able to fix it. I am still planning on fixing it, but in the meanwhile I'd like to wait until I file my taxes for 2011 and send in ONLY that tax return, since I will make sure to do it right this time. Will this be a problem? Could they request the other 2 years? It says that only one year is mandatory on the form...

Thanks!

I don't think all 3 years of tax returns/transcripts are necessary unless you're the person doing the sponsoring. As long as the sponsor (your mother) has her tax transcripts or returns available, I don't think it should be an issue and should satisfy the requirement.

[VisaJourney2011 14]

Regarding tax transcript:

1) What if we submitted our returns to IRS but the transcript is not available to order since it was just recently submitted. What do do then?

Include Tax transcript of 2009, 2010, and 2011 amended return + w2?

I'm going send my Amended 2011 returns next week, so thats why i ask if i get to NVC before my 2011 amended tax transcript is available.

Thank you !

Edited February 21, 2012 by VisaJourney2011

[Ryan H 3,812]

Hi everybody,

I am starting to think about the I-864 (I am the USC applying for CR1 for my foreign husband), and I am wondering if I'd be ok with just sending last year's tax return (and not sending the other two). I definitely do not have enough income to be a sole sponsor, so my mother will be the joint sponsor and I will DEFINITELY send all three years of her tax returns.

I am realizing that I did my taxes taxes wrong in previous years becase of the foreign income exemption, and it might take quite a few months for me to able to fix it. I am still planning on fixing it, but in the meanwhile I'd like to wait until I file my taxes for 2011 and send in ONLY that tax return, since I will make sure to do it right this time. Will this be a problem? Could they request the other 2 years? It says that only one year is mandatory on the form...

Thanks!

Firstly, you are not applying for a CR-1 for your foreign husband, you filed a petition. Your husband will apply for a CR-1 visa after the petition you filed has been approved.

For your question, the most recent year is mandatory. However, the Embassy can require the other two years, therefore, you need a Santiago specific answer to your question on whether or not the last three years is necessary or not.

[pushbrk 12,898]

Hi everybody,

I am starting to think about the I-864 (I am the USC applying for CR1 for my foreign husband), and I am wondering if I'd be ok with just sending last year's tax return (and not sending the other two). I definitely do not have enough income to be a sole sponsor, so my mother will be the joint sponsor and I will DEFINITELY send all three years of her tax returns.

I am realizing that I did my taxes taxes wrong in previous years becase of the foreign income exemption, and it might take quite a few months for me to able to fix it. I am still planning on fixing it, but in the meanwhile I'd like to wait until I file my taxes for 2011 and send in ONLY that tax return, since I will make sure to do it right this time. Will this be a problem? Could they request the other 2 years? It says that only one year is mandatory on the form...

Thanks!

Since you don't qualify, one tax return will be fine. Note on the form where it says three would be optional. You do, need to enter the information from those other two returns, just the same.

[lemayz 2]

Thanks, everybody for your answers. A follow up: is there any way to find out before I have the interview scheduled what the Santiago specific requirements are? I have tried finding out from people who have gone through Santiago, but to no avail.

Pusbrk (or anyone else) - do you know if for the interview it is necessary to have the joint sponsor's and my ORIGINAL tax returns? My joint sponsor is in the US, as are my tax originals, so getting them would be a bit of an ordeal.

And, I realizing I'm sort of hijacking my own thread, but on the topic of originals, do I/my husband need to bring my ORIGINAL Certificate of Naturalization to the interview? That paper is also in the US....

Thanks!

[max+patricia 24]

Thanks, everybody for your answers. A follow up: is there any way to find out before I have the interview scheduled what the Santiago specific requirements are? I have tried finding out from people who have gone through Santiago, but to no avail.

Pusbrk (or anyone else) - do you know if for the interview it is necessary to have the joint sponsor's and my ORIGINAL tax returns? My joint sponsor is in the US, as are my tax originals, so getting them would be a bit of an ordeal.

And, I realizing I'm sort of hijacking my own thread, but on the topic of originals, do I/my husband need to bring my ORIGINAL Certificate of Naturalization to the interview? That paper is also in the US....

Thanks!

About the interview - email the IV unit in Santiago and ask them directly. I did the same for Caracas and got an answer a few days later. They "prefer" three years of transcripts. Take their word for it.

[Laure&Colin 558]

Thanks, everybody for your answers. A follow up: is there any way to find out before I have the interview scheduled what the Santiago specific requirements are? I have tried finding out from people who have gone through Santiago, but to no avail.

Pusbrk (or anyone else) - do you know if for the interview it is necessary to have the joint sponsor's and my ORIGINAL tax returns? My joint sponsor is in the US, as are my tax originals, so getting them would be a bit of an ordeal.

And, I realizing I'm sort of hijacking my own thread, but on the topic of originals, do I/my husband need to bring my ORIGINAL Certificate of Naturalization to the interview? That paper is also in the US....

Thanks!

You should really contact your embassy to know if they would be ok with a simple return or if they demand return transcripts.

FYI someone in the February NVC thread got a checklist from NVC (=RFE for USCIS) requesting the tax return transcripts, although they had sent the returns (1040) and W2s like the form says you can.

[lemayz 2]

Thanks again for all of your answers. Does anyone know anything in regards to the questions I was asking about original versus not original documents?

Laure&Colin and/or anyone else that may know...what happens if you don't have the some specific document that the Embassy needs at the interview? For example, if they want tax transcripts and I only have W2s and 1040s or if they want three years and I bring one year.....do they just flat out deny you? Do they reschedule the interview and give you another shot?

Thanks!

[Laure&Colin 558]

Laure&Colin and/or anyone else that may know...what happens if you don't have the some specific document that the Embassy needs at the interview? For example, if they want tax transcripts and I only have W2s and 1040s or if they want three years and I bring one year.....do they just flat out deny you? Do they reschedule the interview and give you another shot?

Thanks!

They would put the visa on hold until you can provide the documents they ask for.

[VisaJourney2011 14]

Here is What i understand.

At NVC. Send

1) Original or Certified copy of Marriage Certificate

2) Original or Certified copy of beneficiary's Birth Certificate

3) Original or Certified copy of Divorce Certificate (if applicable)

4) Tax transcript options:

a) Tax transcript from (2009, 2010, and 2011)

or if you don't yet have 2011 tax transcript

b) Tax transcript from: 2008, 2009 , 2010, and 2011 Tax returns and 2011 W2

5) Send regular color copies of all the civil documents (#1, #2, #3)

Notes:

Put sticky note on all regular color copies of all documents and mark them "COPIES".

Put a sticky not on all original copies "ORIGINALS"

At the Interview: Make sure you take extra copies of everything just to be safe.

Don't say if i don't have this or if i don't have that. Just bring ALL copies and Original documents to the Interview so you are READY for anything !

Why take any chance?

Don't take advice on this website as FULL PROOF OF SUCCESS! Go the extra length to make sure you have covered ANY IF's or BUTS !

You get what i'm saying

Thanks again for all of your answers. Does anyone know anything in regards to the questions I was asking about original versus not original documents?

Laure&Colin and/or anyone else that may know...what happens if you don't have the some specific document that the Embassy needs at the interview? For example, if they want tax transcripts and I only have W2s and 1040s or if they want three years and I bring one year.....do they just flat out deny you? Do they reschedule the interview and give you another shot?

Thanks!

[pushbrk 12,898]

Thanks, everybody for your answers. A follow up: is there any way to find out before I have the interview scheduled what the Santiago specific requirements are? I have tried finding out from people who have gone through Santiago, but to no avail.

Pusbrk (or anyone else) - do you know if for the interview it is necessary to have the joint sponsor's and my ORIGINAL tax returns? My joint sponsor is in the US, as are my tax originals, so getting them would be a bit of an ordeal.

And, I realizing I'm sort of hijacking my own thread, but on the topic of originals, do I/my husband need to bring my ORIGINAL Certificate of Naturalization to the interview? That paper is also in the US....

Thanks!

You don't need original tax returns. Complete copies or copies of transcripts are fine. No need to show the original Naturalization Certificate but if the USC is coming to the interview and wants to carry it in their carry-on luggage, that would be fine. A copy of their passport is a great substitute, of if they are there, just carry the passport into the interview to show they are currently visiting.

[lemayz 2]

Thanks, Laure&Colin and VisaJourney2011.

Pushbrk, thanks as well! Just one thing - perhaps I wasn't very clear...I am the USC, but I live in Santiago, Chile with my Chilean husband. We are filing from abroad to the Chicago Lockbox. So in that case, might the Naturalization Certificate be necessary or do you think my passport would be sufficient?

[pushbrk 12,898]

Thanks, Laure&Colin and VisaJourney2011.

Pushbrk, thanks as well! Just one thing - perhaps I wasn't very clear...I am the USC, but I live in Santiago, Chile with my Chilean husband. We are filing from abroad to the Chicago Lockbox. So in that case, might the Naturalization Certificate be necessary or do you think my passport would be sufficient?

As evidence you US Citizenship a photocopy of either the Naturalization Certificate or a copy of every page of the US passport, even blank ones, will suffice. Studying the I-130 instructions carefully will be critical to your eventual success. This is covered in those instructions quite clearly.

[VisaJourney2011 14]

As evidence you US Citizenship a photocopy of either the Naturalization Certificate or a copy of every page of the US passport, even blank ones, will suffice. Studying the I-130 instructions carefully will be critical to your eventual success. This is covered in those instructions quite clearly.

PushBrk: Is it okay to do so? because it says on the back of the my US Citizenship certificate that we are not allowed make copies of it.

Do people still do it? does it matter if it's color or black & white copies?

Edited February 22, 2012 by VisaJourney2011