Poverty guideline and tax question

[maeve808 5]

I plan to file the I-130 within the next two months and was wondering about the Poverty Guidelines for the Affidavit of Support. When will the new guidelines for 2014 come out? I assume that by the time I have to file the Affidavit Form I-864 (which will be around February 2014), I will have to earn more than the 2014 income level? Or will I still qualify to use the 2013 data?

If our interview is some time around February/March 2014, do I have to complete my 2013 U.S. tax filing by then? On Form I-864 it asks for the income for the most recent tax year. Will I be able to use my 2012 tax return income as the most recent one here (since the filing deadline for people living abroad is June)?

[maeve808 5]

I know these are tricky questions. Nobody has any ideas?

[lost_at_sea 995]

I don't recall when 2013's were published and the redesign today broke the links to the info about it.

BUT... http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

See the last line - this is in effect from March 1st 2013 until new 2014 guidelines. I assume the new ones will be published at a similar time (March).

You are not obliged to file your taxes until April, so you won't have to present 2013s returns if you weren't required to have them filed by the time your interview rolls around.

Edited October 30, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[maeve808 5]

Thanks for your reply. That makes sense with the new poverty guidelines.

Regarding the tax filing, since I'm currently located outside of the U.S. wouldn't I have time to file my tax until June? So in other words, just in case our interview is around the April U.S. tax filing deadline next year (or a few days after it), could I still use my 2012 tax return as my most recent one since I'm located abroad?

[lost_at_sea 995]

Thanks for your reply. That makes sense with the new poverty guidelines.

Regarding the tax filing, since I'm currently located outside of the U.S. wouldn't I have time to file my tax until June? So in other words, just in case our interview is around the April U.S. tax filing deadline next year (or a few days after it), could I still use my 2012 tax return as my most recent one since I'm located abroad?

Yep. We used 2011 this year because we were abroad at the time, and had a further extension through to August for our 2012 return. You'll need a letter to explain to go with, probably (see the instructions for the form).