HELP!!! Am I screwed?

[Faery 0]

I recently sent off my N-400, it was accepted, check cashed...I was so excited. Then yesterday, my husband realizes a mistake was made on our tax return for 2013 so we've had to amend it and send off all the forms and checks...arrgghh. Now he thinks he screwed up our 2012 return too. On form N-400, PART 11 question 6:

"Do you owe any overdue Federal, State, or local taxes?" Well I of course thinking it was all fine ticked the NO box. Now am I completely screwed?? I feel so sick and anxious......please help!!!

[bigapple-ny 1]

I recently sent off my N-400, it was accepted, check cashed...I was so excited. Then yesterday, my husband realizes a mistake was made on our tax return for 2013 so we've had to amend it and send off all the forms and checks...arrgghh. Now he thinks he screwed up our 2012 return too. On form N-400, PART 11 question 6:

"Do you owe any overdue Federal, State, or local taxes?" Well I of course thinking it was all fine ticked the NO box. Now am I completely screwed?? I feel so sick and anxious......please help!!!

my understanding......when you see the tax bill and pay off the bill before due date, you are not overdue IRS and State taxes.

[Faery 0]

my understanding......when you see the tax bill and pay off the bill before due date, you are not overdue IRS and State taxes.

Well now we have amended, we now owe $16 because of his mistake so it is overdue. So now I think I am stuffed and should just withdraw my application.

[BigDaddy28 228]

Well now we have amended, we now owe $16 because of his mistake so it is overdue. So now I think I am stuffed and should just withdraw my application.

Do not withdraw it. When you go to the interview, explain the mistake. All you have to say is that your husband found out the mistake and that he fixed it as soon as he knew and that your bill with IRS is paid. Get copies of the amendments of all returns you did. All copies of all payments (even statement from the bank to show that the IRS got the money). and you will receive a receipt from IRS use that as well. There is no reason for you to overreact and withdraw your application, that was an honest mistake.

Good luck.

[Faery 0]

Do not withdraw it. When you go to the interview, explain the mistake. All you have to say is that your husband found out the mistake and that he fixed it as soon as he knew and that your bill with IRS is paid. Get copies of the amendments of all returns you did. All copies of all payments (even statement from the bank to show that the IRS got the money). and you will receive a receipt from IRS use that as well. There is no reason for you to overreact and withdraw your application, that was an honest mistake.

Good luck.

Ok thank you. I will do that but what if we are issued penalties? We made a major error as my husband did not file form 8938 regarding my UK bank account and interest made on the account. Looks like this goes back to 2011 so we could face $$$$ in fines which is why I am freaking out.

I will take everything to the interview but should I bring it up or wait to be asked?

Edited May 24, 2014 by Faery

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

They go over your entire application, line by line at the interview. When they get to that question if you are all squared away with the IRS, then you answer is still correct. When you sent in the application, you were telling the truth. You were not aware of oweing money.

They (IRS) aren't going to fine you over Form 8938. They are looking for people hiding money in offshore accounts trying to swindle the IRS out of big bucks. Your $16 mistake is not even pocket change to the IRS.

Edited May 24, 2014 by Nich-Nick

[Faery 0]

I sure hope they don't fine us! I shall make sure we are all squared well before interview, I haven't even had biometrics yet. So if we owe nothing when it comes to interview i don't need to mention it?

Thank you for all your replies, I feel a little better now!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I sure hope they don't fine us! I shall make sure we are all squared well before interview, I haven't even had biometrics yet. So if we owe nothing when it comes to interview i don't need to mention it?

Thank you for all your replies, I feel a little better now!

The IRS came up with that penalty to put some bite into what they can do to people who are hiding their millions in foreign accounts to avoid taxes. They seriously are not interested in fining you $10,000-$50,000 over a mistake of $16. You are not trying to defraud the government of tens of thousands of taxes by hiding income abroad.

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

Calm down and sit down and use your common sense. Yes, it's overdue in a way that you are paying it later due to the amendment. But it is not the same as paying it late as ignoring what you have originally filed for and should have paid back then. Chill out! Why are you immediately panic? Just think about for a second (or two). If they happen to RFE for this, you can always send them a word doc stating that you guys realized your mistake, did some changes. Copy of the new/changed tax forms, and copy of the check that you sent off to pay for it and all is well. No need to panic. USCIS is made of humans, and will see the picture in case this comes up and gets sent out as an RFE...IF AT ALL.

All the best!

Well now we have amended, we now owe $16 because of his mistake so it is overdue. So now I think I am stuffed and should just withdraw my application.

I hope you don't take this as an offense...not how it was intended...

Calm down and sit down and use your common sense. Yes, it's overdue in a way that you are paying it later due to the amendment. But it is not the same as paying it late as ignoring what you have originally filed for and should have paid back then. Chill out! Why are you immediately panic? Just think about for a second (or two). If they happen to ask for this at the interview, you can always send them a word doc stating that you guys realized your mistake, did some changes. Copy of the new/changed tax forms, and copy of the check that you sent off to pay for it and all is well. No need to panic. USCIS is made of humans, and will see the picture in case this comes up at your interview....IF AT ALL.

All the best!

Edited May 24, 2014 by AnotherLostSoul

[Faery 0]

Calm down and sit down and use your common sense. Yes, it's overdue in a way that you are paying it later due to the amendment. But it is not the same as paying it late as ignoring what you have originally filed for and should have paid back then. Chill out! Why are you immediately panic? Just think about for a second (or two). If they happen to RFE for this, you can always send them a word doc stating that you guys realized your mistake, did some changes. Copy of the new/changed tax forms, and copy of the check that you sent off to pay for it and all is well. No need to panic. USCIS is made of humans, and will see the picture in case this comes up and gets sent out as an RFE...IF AT ALL.

All the best!

I hope you don't take this as an offense...not how it was intended...

No not at all! I very much appreciate your advice and opinion, I know I am highly strung (to say the least) I just panic because I read of people being denied for all sorts of reasons and I wondered how USCIS would view it. Anyway, I shall go to the interview armed with copies of absolutely everything but, if I am squared with IRS, should I even mention it? Or keep my mouth shut unless asked?

Edited May 24, 2014 by Faery

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

Maybe others will yelp in here and oppose what I say, but I would say, only say if asked. You know, not saying doesn't mean your lying, or covering up. It simply means "you didn't bring it up hence I didn't bring it up". Like I won't ask you right now about your siblings and parents, so even if you have a very bad relationship with them, you don't need to tell me in details why, and what made you guys go down that path. Now, if I ask, please tell me. I believe this applies in every situation whether it's USCIS, or a cop, or me. After all, you are not cheating. You simply are having all the papers in your hand at the interview, and if they bring the subject up, you are ready to answer honestly, and show them your documents to prove this is exactly what happened and what actions you took. However, if they either get in contact with IRS and see this and don't care, or simply they just don't focus on it much after going through your documents, then why bother. Right? So tell me, are you in good relationship with your parents/siblings? jk!

No not at all! I very much appreciate your advice and opinion, I know I am highly strung (to say the least) I just panic because I read of people being denied for all sorts of reasons and I wondered how USCIS would view it. Anyway, I shall go to the interview armed with copies of absolutely everything but, if I am squared with IRS, should I even mention it? Or keep my mouth shut unless asked?

[Faery 0]

Yes AnotherLostSoul, I am in a good relationship with siblings and parents That is what I thought too, only say if asked.

Do they usually contact IRS to check tax transcripts?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Yes AnotherLostSoul, I am in a good relationship with siblings and parents That is what I thought too, only say if asked.

Do they usually contact IRS to check tax transcripts?

Here's my opinion.

Answer the questions asked. They go through your application.

Do you still live at 123 Main? Yes

Not: Yes, but we would love to buy a bigger house someday, maybe in Honey Grove.

Are you Still married to Peter Pan? Yes

Not: I am now, but things happen and I supposed if he doesn't act right I might not always be married to him. I was mad enough to leave him last month.

Do you owe any over due Federal, State, or Local taxes? No

Not: Well we discovered in May that we did something wrong and had to file amended returns, so I guess in April the answer was no, but in May the answer was yes, but then we filed the amended returns and sent a check for $16 for the difference so in June the answer was no, but now it's August, but what if next year they decide to fine us for making a mistake?

If you have amended and paid the difference and do not owe at the time of your interview, then the answer to the question is no. They are not asking have you ever owed? Have you ever made a mistake and had to send the IRS money after the due date?

[Faery 0]

Thank you Nich-Nick, I want to hug you!

[Buckyball 22]

What is the big deal? Sent them the $16 and all is said and done. They might charge you interested on top at a later time but most likely is that they deduct the couple of cents from your next refund. So keep your mouth close at the interview.