Affidavit of Support Question

[Initpass2 0]

Hello All,

I need to do a I-134 but im not sure if i need a co-sponsor.

My 2012 estimated income is 37,000. My 2011 income was 7,800 and my 2010 was about 12,000

based on my income for 2012 do you think the Consulate officer will asks for a co-sponor?

are they going to take my previous income into consideration? and will it have an effect on the decision of a co-sponor?

[Cathi 5,771]

it depends on how many family members you have including your fiance

and they base it on last year, 2011...it would be a good idea to get a joint sponsor if possible

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Hello All,

I need to do a I-134 but im not sure if i need a co-sponsor.

My 2012 estimated income is 37,000. My 2011 income was 7,800 and my 2010 was about 12,000

based on my income for 2012 do you think the Consulate officer will asks for a co-sponor?

are they going to take my previous income into consideration? and will it have an effect on the decision of a co-sponor?

It is your current income that matters. If you are now earning enough to cover your household size plus the beneficiary at 125% of the poverty level or higher, then you should not need a co-sponsor. Get a letter from your employer stating position and salary, and include it along with a few months worth of your most recent pay stubs.

and they base it on last year, 2011...it would be a good idea to get a joint sponsor if possible

No. It is based on what you are currently earning. It is not based on last year's taxes unless they are self-employed. If you are self-employed, then they will look at line 22 of your last 1040. For everyone else, they can prove current income with an employer letter and pay stubs.

[Pinkrlion 2,724]

There is a link somewhere on VJ that lists the income guidelines. Did you request tax transcripts fom the IRS?

Edited May 18, 2012 by Pinkrlion

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

There is a link somewhere on VJ that lists the income guidelines. They will be looking at 2011 income, it is actual, not projected. Did you request tax transcripts fom the IRS?

Why does everyone keep saying this? See my post above. It is not based on last year's past income. It is based on CURRENT income. You can estimate(project) your 2012 annual income by multiplying your hourly rate times how many hours week you work. Then multiply that by 52. Or multiply your monthly income by 12.

And this is the link for the poverty guidelines: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

Edited May 18, 2012 by Jay-Kay

[Cathi 5,771]

Why does everyone keep saying this? See my post above. It is not based on last year's past income. It is based on CURRENT income. You can estimate(project) your 2012 annual income by multiplying your hourly rate times how many hours week you work. Then multiply that by 52. Or multiply your monthly income by 12.

And this is the link for the poverty guidelines: http://www.uscis.gov...form/i-864p.pdf

people say this because when they have gone to their interviews a few have been denied of the previous years taxes...that's why!!!!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

people say this because when they have gone to their interviews a few have been denied of the previous years taxes...that's why!!!!

Where are the links to these cases? Were they self-employed? Did they provide solid proof of their current income? Because it is indeed based on CURRENT income and not what you earned in the past. Using lots of exclamation points at the end of your post won't change that fact.

If someone has borderline income, and were not earning much previously, then the CO might think their income is not stable enough and in those cases they should have a co-sponsor as a back up. However, the OP said they currently make $37k a year. Unless they have a large household size, that is not borderline income.

[Pinkrlion 2,724]

@Jay-Kay, I understand what you are saying, however, we are now at a point where we have to look at embassy specific information. I posted a question, and was told something incorrect, because our embassy requires something specific that others do not. There is a posting in Forums - Caribbean that specifically says Jamaica Packet 3, and there is a PDF posted that shows specifically what we have to present with I-134. Do not look at the fees, because they still have the old fees listed, but everything else should be what you need. It is very helpful information.

Edited May 19, 2012 by Pinkrlion

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

@Jay-Kay, I understand what you are saying, however, we are now at a point where we have to look at embassy specific information. I posted a question, and was told something incorrect, because our embassy requires something specific that others do not. There is a posting in Forums - Caribbean that specifically says Jamaica Packet 3, and there is a PDF posted that shows specifically what we have to present with I-134. Do not look at the fees, because they still have the old fees listed, but everything else should be what you need. It is very helpful information.

Yes, things are different from consulate to consulate. That is true. I just looked at the pdf and your repost, and I see nowhere it says the income is based on last year's past income. Everyone must submit at least their most recent year's tax transcript. I never stated not to do this. I merely stated that the 125% requirement is based on what you CURRENTLY earned, and not what you earned last year. You can do a search here on VJ and find that what I am telling you is true.

From your post: "Evidence of Support: You must submit evidence that you (and any accompanying children) are not likely to become a public charge (i.e. financial burden to the U.S. Government) while in the United States. Typically, evidence submitted by an applicant presented to meet this requirement of the law will consist of a Form I-134 “Affidavit of Support” completed by the petitioning fiancé/fiancée or other U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, along with the sponsor’s most current year’s 1040 and W2, current bank statements, earnings statements, and an employment letter."

If you read what I told the OP, I told them to get a letter from their employer and provide a few months worth of their most recent pay stubs to prove current income. They did not earn enough last year, and their taxes will show that. However, they earn enough NOW, and the letter from employer and pay stubs will prove that. It would be silly for a CO to ignore the fact they are making $37k a year now because they did not earn that much in 2011. Current income is what goes on the annual income line for #7 of the I-134, and not what it states as your income from your last year's taxes.

To the OP> If it makes you feel better, you can write a statement as to why you did not make that much in 2011, talk about getting your new job, and that you are now in the position to support your fiance(e) above 125% of the poverty level so they will not become a public charge. You can also get a co-sponsor lined up just in case, but making what you do, I really do not think it is needed.

[Tygrys 143]

people say this because when they have gone to their interviews a few have been denied of the previous years taxes...that's why!!!!

For a person who joined this board a month ago, you have a lot experience. At least that's what you think, but unfortunately many of your posts contain errors and misinformation. Don't post if you don't know!

@OP: For I-134 it is based on your CURRENT income. You have to include past tax filings, but what really matters is your current situation. Enclose an employment letter with current salary shown and a few current paystubs.

Edited May 19, 2012 by Tygrys

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

For a person who joined this board a month ago, you have a lot experience. At least that's what you think, but unfortunately many of your posts contain errors and misinformation. Don't post if you don't know!

@OP: For I-134 it is based on your CURRENT income. You have to include past tax filings, but what really matters is your current situation. Enclose an employment letter with current salary shown and a few current paystubs.

Thank you for coming along and backing up what I have been saying throughout this entire thread.

[Initpass2 0]

Yes, things are different from consulate to consulate. That is true. I just looked at the pdf and your repost, and I see nowhere it says the income is based on last year's past income. Everyone must submit at least their most recent year's tax transcript. I never stated not to do this. I merely stated that the 125% requirement is based on what you CURRENTLY earned, and not what you earned last year. You can do a search here on VJ and find that what I am telling you is true.

From your post: "Evidence of Support: You must submit evidence that you (and any accompanying children) are not likely to become a public charge (i.e. financial burden to the U.S. Government) while in the United States. Typically, evidence submitted by an applicant presented to meet this requirement of the law will consist of a Form I-134 “Affidavit of Support” completed by the petitioning fiancé/fiancée or other U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, along with the sponsor’s most current year’s 1040 and W2, current bank statements, earnings statements, and an employment letter."

If you read what I told the OP, I told them to get a letter from their employer and provide a few months worth of their most recent pay stubs to prove current income. They did not earn enough last year, and their taxes will show that. However, they earn enough NOW, and the letter from employer and pay stubs will prove that. It would be silly for a CO to ignore the fact they are making $37k a year now because they did not earn that much in 2011. Current income is what goes on the annual income line for #7 of the I-134, and not what it states as your income from your last year's taxes.

To the OP> If it makes you feel better, you can write a statement as to why you did not make that much in 2011, talk about getting your new job, and that you are now in the position to support your fiance(e) above 125% of the poverty level so they will not become a public charge. You can also get a co-sponsor lined up just in case, but making what you do, I really do not think it is needed.

Really good info thank u soooo much or your help

Thanks guys

[Penny Lane 8,159]

it depends on how many family members you have including your fiance

and they base it on last year, 2011...it would be a good idea to get a joint sponsor if possible

As Jay-Kay said, they do not base it on last year. It is this year's income that must meet the requirements. Previous years' information should also be provided.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Really good info thank u soooo much or your help

Thanks guys

You are welcome. Glad to help. Good luck!