Certified Copies of Taxes?

[AndyMisiu 0]

I know, I know... not another I-134 question. Sorry! so here it goes.

I'm going to present my 2005 tax returns as proof of income, with other things as well. I only have my copy signed by the CPA at the time the taxes were completed. I do not have IRS transcripts as I don't have time to get them. I'm leaving on Friday for Poland.

I've read that it's suggested to get IRS transcripts, but not required. I also read that the returns had to be certified, what's that all about?

Will my copy be sufficient?

Edited October 11, 2006 by AndyMisiu

[no name 1]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=support

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/I-134.pdf

page 3, section II

It says nothing about transcripts. I only submitted copies of my returns & was fine.

[YuAndDan 153]

I read the instructions included with form I-134, can you tell me where it says Certified copies? It just says copies or "Copy of last income tax return filed."

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-134.htm

[AndyMisiu 0]

That's cool! I just read something and then have to dispell it. I've personally never heard of certified copies for tax returns.

I did however read on the 0-167 that it says Notarized copies of tax returns. Does everyone get this 0-167 or is it just something from Poland?

[Bruce n Jen 0]

I read the instructions included with form I-134, can you tell me where it says Certified copies? It just says copies or "Copy of last income tax return filed."

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-134.htm

Need to apply KISS - keep it simple....

I agree, it only says one place for notarized, and that's the actual I-134, and no where does it say certified. Really, about the only place one might see certified is with divorce decrees and birth certificates.

[Yodrak 7]

YuAndDan,

Form DS-2000 (formerly OF-167), Evidence That May Be Presented To Meet The Public Charge Provisions Of The Law lists notarized copies of tax returns as one of the items of evidence. Many people seem to use the words 'notarized' and 'certified' interchangeably.

Yodrak

I read the instructions included with form I-134, can you tell me where it says Certified copies? It just says copies or "Copy of last income tax return filed."

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-134.htm

Edited October 11, 2006 by Yodrak

[AndyMisiu 0]

YuAndDan,

Form DS-2000 (formerly OF-167), Evidence That May Be Presented To Meet The Public Charge Provisions Of The Law lists notarized copies of tax returns as one of the items of evidence. Many people seem to use the words 'notarized' and 'certified' interchangeably.

Yodrak

I read the instructions included with form I-134, can you tell me where it says Certified copies? It just says copies or "Copy of last income tax return filed."

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-134.htm

so the taxes do need to be notarized then

[Bruce n Jen 0]

so the taxes do need to be notarized then

Nope, doesn't say notarized here on the I-134 instructions. Why make it more complicated? Ya think sending a notarized copy when they don't ask for one could raise a red flag? Who knows, why bother?

II. Supporting Evidence.

As the sponsor, you must show you have sufficient income

and/or financial resources to assure that the alien you are

sponsoring will not become a public charge while in the

United States.

Evidence should consist of copies of any or all of the

following documentation listed below that are applicable to

your situation.

Failure to provide evidence of sufficient income and/or

financial resources may result in the denial of the alien's

application for a visa or his or her removal from the United

States.

The sponsor must submit in duplicate evidence of income

and resources, as appropriate:

A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial

institution where you have deposits, giving the

following details regarding your account:

1. Date account opened;

2. Total amount deposited for the past year;

3. Present balance.

B. Statement of your employer on business stationery,

showing:

1. Date and nature of employment;

2. Salary paid;

3. Whether the position is temporary or permanent.

C. If self-employed:

1. Copy of last income tax return filed; or

2. Report of commercial rating concern.

D. List containing serial numbers and denominations of

bonds and name of record owner(s).

[Yodrak 7]

brucejg,

What the I-134 instructions say is not relevant. I-134 does not dictate what evidence needs to be provided to meet the public charge provisions of the law, and is itself optional for that purpose - not required unless the consular officer wants it. (Granted, they usually do want it.)

I-134 is the tail, not the dog.

Yodrak

so the taxes do need to be notarized then

Nope, doesn't say notarized here on the I-134 instructions. ....

AndyMisiu,

The anecdotal evidence is that the tax returns do not have to be notarized, despite what DS-2000 says. Maybe they did have to be notarized at one time - comparing a present day DS-2000 to a decade old OF-167 (some consulates still give out OF-167) shows no changes. I did not have my tax returns notarized.

But I thought you asked about certified copies?

Yodrak

YuAndDan,

Form DS-2000 (formerly OF-167), Evidence That May Be Presented To Meet The Public Charge Provisions Of The Law lists notarized copies of tax returns as one of the items of evidence. Many people seem to use the words 'notarized' and 'certified' interchangeably.

Yodrak

I read the instructions included with form I-134, can you tell me where it says Certified copies? It just says copies or "Copy of last income tax return filed."

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-134.htm

so the taxes do need to be notarized then

[AndyMisiu 0]

brucejg,

What the I-134 instructions say is not relevant. I-134 does not dictate what evidence needs to be provided to meet the public charge provisions of the law, and is itself optional for that purpose - not required unless the consular officer wants it. (Granted, they usually do want it.)

I-134 is the tail, not the dog.

Yodrak

so the taxes do need to be notarized then

Nope, doesn't say notarized here on the I-134 instructions. ....

AndyMisiu,

The anecdotal evidence is that the tax returns do not have to be notarized, despite what DS-2000 says. Maybe they did have to be notarized at one time - comparing a present day DS-2000 to a decade old OF-167 (some consulates still give out OF-167) shows no changes. I did not have my tax returns notarized.

But I thought you asked about certified copies?

Yodrak

YuAndDan,

Form DS-2000 (formerly OF-167), Evidence That May Be Presented To Meet The Public Charge Provisions Of The Law lists notarized copies of tax returns as one of the items of evidence. Many people seem to use the words 'notarized' and 'certified' interchangeably.

Yodrak

I read the instructions included with form I-134, can you tell me where it says Certified copies? It just says copies or "Copy of last income tax return filed."

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-134.htm

so the taxes do need to be notarized then

I did ask about certified, but you said they were interchangable, so I just started saying notarized.

So, what I have are: my own, uncertified, non-IRS transcript, unnotarized, original and copied tax returns with the CPA's signature. I hope this works. If not, I'm bringing a bunch of other #######.

[AndyMisiu 0]

So the Embassy in Warsaw say's the following:

Documentation regarding financial support can be in any form so long as it contains enough detail and information for the consular officer to conclude that the beneficiary will not become a public charge. Petitioners may submit the "old" Affidavit of Support (form I-134) if they wish.

I guess what I have will be fine.

[no name 1]

Many people seem to use the words 'notarized' and 'certified' interchangeably.

I did ask about certified, but you said they were interchangable, so I just started saying notarized.

So, what I have are: my own, uncertified, non-IRS transcript, unnotarized, original and copied tax returns with the CPA's signature. I hope this works. If not, I'm bringing a bunch of other #######.

He said that people used them interchangeably not that they were...

Dictionary.com

cer-ti-fied

–adjective

1. having or proved by a certificate: a certified representative.

2. guaranteed; reliably endorsed: a certified check.

3. legally declared insane.

4. committed to a mental institution.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

–verb (used with object)

1. to attest as certain; give reliable information of; confirm: He certified the truth of his claim.

2. to testify to or vouch for in writing: The medical examiner will certify his findings to the court.

3. to guarantee; endorse reliably: to certify a document with an official seal.

4. to guarantee (a check) by writing on its face that the account against which it is drawn has sufficient funds to pay it.

5. to award a certificate to (a person) attesting to the completion of a course of study or the passing of a qualifying examination.

6. to declare legally insane and committable to a mental institution.

7. Archaic. to assure or inform with certainty.

no·ta·rized

To certify or attest to (the validity of a signature on a document, for example) as a notary public.

Edited October 11, 2006 by devilette

[AndyMisiu 0]

Many people seem to use the words 'notarized' and 'certified' interchangeably.

I did ask about certified, but you said they were interchangable, so I just started saying notarized.

So, what I have are: my own, uncertified, non-IRS transcript, unnotarized, original and copied tax returns with the CPA's signature. I hope this works. If not, I'm bringing a bunch of other #######.

He said that people used them interchangeably not that they were...

Dictionary.com

cer-ti-fied

–adjective

1. having or proved by a certificate: a certified representative.

2. guaranteed; reliably endorsed: a certified check.

3. legally declared insane.

4. committed to a mental institution.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

–verb (used with object)

1. to attest as certain; give reliable information of; confirm: He certified the truth of his claim.

2. to testify to or vouch for in writing: The medical examiner will certify his findings to the court.

3. to guarantee; endorse reliably: to certify a document with an official seal.

4. to guarantee (a check) by writing on its face that the account against which it is drawn has sufficient funds to pay it.

5. to award a certificate to (a person) attesting to the completion of a course of study or the passing of a qualifying examination.

6. to declare legally insane and committable to a mental institution.

7. Archaic. to assure or inform with certainty.

no·ta·rized

To certify or attest to (the validity of a signature on a document, for example) as a notary public.

Thanks!

[garbage_account 0]

The I-134 does not require a certified tax return (does not require ANY tax returns unless you are self-employed). However, some embassies DO ask for tax returns in their checklist sent to the beneficiary before the interview.

Certified copies come from the IRS via mail and can take a while. Tax transcripts also come from the IRS via mail or fax. Mailed transcripts take about a week or two. Faxed ones take about a day (that's what I did in my case and the embassy did not have a problem with it... I had IRS fax me 3 years just to be safe and I also took a TurboTax print-out along with my W2).

Hope that helps. Good luck.

- edit: I did have to stay on hold for a while w/ the IRS and did get transferred quite a bit until I found someone competent and helpful (doesn't surprise me, though).

Edited October 11, 2006 by garbage_account

[meauxna 15]

I'm going to present my 2005 tax returns as proof of income,

By way of FYI, tax returns are not evidence of income, they're a story of what happened in the past.