I-864 for the self-employed

[cbessada 0]

1. I have a one-person office, self-employed. As I am preparing to complete an I-864, I note they want proof that I am currently working. Huh? I can't exactly generate a credible letter from my boss, since that's me. What do I give them?

2. Because of the way the tax return is structured, my income is below the 125% poverty guidelines, so I am using assets to compensate. What kind of proof of my assets (bank account, equity in the home) are they going to be looking for?

cbessada

[dims1 0]

I sent them brochures of my product. Something with your letterhead on it. Then I sent invoices of prior sales and I have some old permits I needed when I did shows in California. Things that have your name on it. Also things like parts invoces.

As far as property assets, I'm using my real estate. I made a copy of the deed, The reconveyance cert. and also made copies of my property tax statements which shows the Real Value. I also had a friend at a real estate office write me an estimate. Even though she is not licensed I figured it wouldn't hurt to put that in there.

The mistake I made was putting 1000.00 as checking/savings acct balance. They sent me a letter saying I needed proof of my checking/savings acct and proof of my 1000.00 balance.

You don't even have to put anything in that box.... its optional. Oh well.

They just received that proof today so hopefully I'm done. Everything else must have been ok since they didn't question any of the rest of the stuff or ask for more proof.

Hope this helps!

Mike

[Yodrak 7]

cbessada,

You might want to consider re-structuring your tax return a wee bit to raise your personal income to the required level. Do you have separate business and personal bank accounts, with activity in both and movement of funds from the business account to your personal account (and not sending it back again)?

The assets that 'count' are those that can be readily turned into spendable cash, I think the guideline was within a year's time. The type of evidence that would be appropriate will depend on the nature of the asset.

Yodrak

1. I have a one-person office, self-employed. As I am preparing to complete an I-864, I note they want proof that I am currently working. Huh? I can't exactly generate a credible letter from my boss, since that's me. What do I give them?

2. Because of the way the tax return is structured, my income is below the 125% poverty guidelines, so I am using assets to compensate. What kind of proof of my assets (bank account, equity in the home) are they going to be looking for?

cbessada

Edited November 17, 2006 by Yodrak