NVC Filers - June 2014

[John Leo 2]

Got checklist for AOS

first it was a wrong Embassy, now checklist... waiting and waiting for a case complete...

[Naumanxenon 38]

That's scary. They ask for original marriage certificates and those are hard to get again.

question for those who had an IV checklist -- did you provide a photocopy with the item you sent in response to the checklist? or did you just send the original/certified item requested?

[alejandreska 136]

Happy June everyone!

My husband's case has been at NVC for a few weeks now, and I've filled out the 261, and am waiting for the IV bill to become payable... I have a question relating to the paperwork I am trying to get ready for the IV packet:

I told my husband last year that we would need to get police certificates, so he went to a friend who is a police officer, and who issued him something called a "constancia de verificación de ciudadano" which apparently is what is used within Venezuela-- But I had been looking at websites, including VJ, and knew that there is something that the Venezuelan government issues for foreign use (certificado de antecedentes penales) which seems to be what the state department expects to see... So I have been trying to request them online, but the website doesn't seem to work hardly at all, although one person on VJ told me she had successfully requested them there... even if it works, my husband will have to go to Caracas to pick the papers up, which is possible but a bit of a headache...

So I have been posting about this in the IR-1/CR1 forum, and another user told me that in his/her opinion it maybe isn't necessary, that s/he is going off information listed on the state dept's website about what the embassy requires, and the Caracas embassy (where this person was looking) doesn't mention police certificates.

So now I am getting very confused-- Can anyone out there shed some light? Are police certificates required for all countries at the NVC stage? If so, do we need the ones from Caracas, or will the local ones do? Does anyone have helpful tips for getting the website to work?

Thanks so much for your thoughts!

Hi! The process for the police certifcate is very easy. Enter the website between 7am and 12 pm (Actually, when I requested it, it wasn't available until 7:30 AM, I beleive that somebody manually activates the site and got late to work (you should know that Venezuelans are usually not punctual xD).

https://sircap.mij.gov.ve/Certificaciones/CU_login/

You follow the instructions of the site, and 5 business days later you go and pick it up at Edificio Paris in La Candelaria

This is the simplest doc of the IV package, getting the birth certificate and requesting an apostille was the 'hard' part...

Feel free to PMme if you have any additional questions!

[Afrohanfi 15]

Do not round off. Include exact amounts, to the penny.

Thank you!

[Afrohanfi 15]

I am so frustrated. I tried filling my taxes online and I could not, because it wanted certain numbers for my husband. So my mom talked to her tax lady about it and she said it was no problem. So I made an appointment with her and explained everything to her. She said yep that is no problem. So I sat down with her as she filled out my taxes, and I saw her mark married filling separately. Now that I need to send AOS package I am making copies of my 1040 and I see it says SINGLE!! THE ANGER I HAVE RIGHT NOW. Trying to calm down and hoping this doesnt make a problem for me. My mom is saying I might be ok, because we were married after June. I was hoping anyone could shed some light on this and if any of you filled single and if it caused any problems for you!

HELP PLZ!

[essysita 24]

Be SURE to read the instructions for the form found on the USCIS website!

If taxes are filed with a 1040 or 1040A, use gross/total income, but if taxes are filed with a 1040EZ, use the adjusted gross income.

As BOS_LHR stated, it is NOT dependent on the AOS form you are filing, it is dependent on the tax forms you filed. If using 3 years of taxes and only one year is with the 1040EZ, use the adjusted gross income just for that year, and total income for the others.

Thank you so much for your reply. My husband and I overlooked this one. I'm very sorry. Now it cost us precious time.

[alejandreska 136]

I'm back! I needed a short break from VJ threads (Got away for 2 weeks!)

This friday will be the 3rd week mark since NVC scanned my AOS package, hopefully I'll hear something on Friday or the following week...

I'm sending good vibes to everybody!

Specially Lifeonhold, lovemytico and lucybelle!! Hopefully this is your week!

Edited June 2, 2014 by alejandreska

[Fabian&Rossy 120]

question for those who had an IV checklist -- did you provide a photocopy with the item you sent in response to the checklist? or did you just send the original/certified item requested?

The reason for photocopies is for the embassy to keep the copy and return the original document to the applicant. So I would say yes, include a copy of the new document you're sending.

I am filling out my I-864 and my mom is co sponsoring and she has 52 cents at the end of her total income. So do I round up or just not include.

Please quote me in response so I know when someone responses Thank you.

If you mean the 1040 tax form that your mom submitted to the IRS is showing 52 cents, then yes, copy the exact amount on the I-864. Other people might say to round up but that is because taxpayers are supposed to round up their tax form numbers in the first place. Careful not to use the "total income" from W-2s.

I am so frustrated. I tried filling my taxes online and I could not, because it wanted certain numbers for my husband. So my mom talked to her tax lady about it and she said it was no problem. So I made an appointment with her and explained everything to her. She said yep that is no problem. So I sat down with her as she filled out my taxes, and I saw her mark married filling separately. Now that I need to send AOS package I am making copies of my 1040 and I see it says SINGLE!! THE ANGER I HAVE RIGHT NOW. Trying to calm down and hoping this doesnt make a problem for me. My mom is saying I might be ok, because we were married after June. I was hoping anyone could shed some light on this and if any of you filled single and if it caused any problems for you!

HELP PLZ!

Even if you got married on the last day of the 2013, for tax purposes you're considered married for the entire year. Contact your tax preparer again and get her to file a 1040X asap. Don't let her tell you that you cannot file MFS. Afterwards, you can submit your AOS packet including your complete 2013 tax return with W-2's, 1099's (if applicable) AND your form 1040X showing you amended your filing status.

Good luck!

[Afrohanfi 15]

Even if you got married on the last day of the 2013, for tax purposes you're considered married for the entire year. Contact your tax preparer again and get her to file a 1040X asap. Don't let her tell you that you cannot file MFS. Afterwards, you can submit your AOS packet including your complete 2013 tax return with W-2's, 1099's (if applicable) AND your form 1040X showing you amended your filing status.

Good luck!

Thank you! I am so frustrated. I really hope her mistake doesnt cost me a month or longer in this process

[Sukie 1,464]

Fabian&Rossy, on 02 Jun 2014 - 4:11 PM, said:

Even if you got married on the last day of the 2013, for tax purposes you're considered married for the entire year. Contact your tax preparer again and get her to file a 1040X asap. Don't let her tell you that you cannot file MFS. Afterwards, you can submit your AOS packet including your complete 2013 tax return with W-2's, 1099's (if applicable) AND your form 1040X showing you amended your filing status.

Good luck!

Thank you! I am so frustrated. I really hope her mistake doesnt cost me a month or longer in this process

**********************

Any tax preparer that uses a standard tax preparation software program is probably going to try this switcheroo. The standard programs will NOT let you file "Married" - either jointly or separately - without an ITIN or SSN in the line for the foreign national. And the tax preparer does not want to have to fill out the return manually.

I've seen this happen many times since I've been on VJ - and I wish there was something we could add about this to all folks who are going through the IR-1/CR-1 process.

It really is that the tax preparer is clueless or lazy. If you are married, and you know your spouse does NOT have an ITIN or a SSN, do NOT let your tax preparer file your return electronically. I do not know every tax return software program out there, but I know MY tax guy, who works for one of the Global Big 4 Accounting firms, taught me about this. Even his company's software program does not allow for a "married" return to be filed electronically without an ITIN or SSN for both spouses.

It is also a wake-up call for all people. We are all ultimately responsible for all the details and numbers on our tax returns. Even if you don't understand taxes at all (and who could understand US taxes!!!!!?????) look over your return every year before you give the OK to submit. Make sure your personal details are correct!

If you can file an amended return before your send in your AOS packet, you should not have a delay. Just don't let your tax preparer charge you for preparing the amendment!

Sukie

[Afrohanfi 15]

Fabian&Rossy, on 02 Jun 2014 - 4:11 PM, said:

Thank you! I am so frustrated. I really hope her mistake doesnt cost me a month or longer in this process

**********************

Any tax preparer that uses a standard tax preparation software program is probably going to try this switcheroo. The standard programs will NOT let you file "Married" - either jointly or separately - without an ITIN or SSN in the line for the foreign national. And the tax preparer does not want to have to fill out the return manually.

I've seen this happen many times since I've been on VJ - and I wish there was something we could add about this to all folks who are going through the IR-1/CR-1 process.

It really is that the tax preparer is clueless or lazy. If you are married, and you know your spouse does NOT have an ITIN or a SSN, do NOT let your tax preparer file your return electronically. I do not know every tax return software program out there, but I know MY tax guy, who works for one of the Global Big 4 Accounting firms, taught me about this. Even his company's software program does not allow for a "married" return to be filed electronically without an ITIN or SSN for both spouses.

It is also a wake-up call for all people. We are all ultimately responsible for all the details and numbers on our tax returns. Even if you don't understand taxes at all (and who could understand US taxes!!!!!?????) look over your return every year before you give the OK to submit. Make sure your personal details are correct!

If you can file an amended return before your send in your AOS packet, you should not have a delay. Just don't let your tax preparer charge you for preparing the amendment!

Sukie

Thank you! I think thats what makes me so angry is that I explained the situation to her and told her I have to file married. On top of that I was with her when she filed everything out and she marked married filing separately. Thats what makes me so angry, because she had to have changed it when I left! I am just trying to calm down before I go to her offices tomorrow. But yes you are correct if I had looked at what she mailed to me in March then I would have caught it then and wouldnt have to wait for it.

[John Leo 2]

Hello,

Mine is under NVC process and waiting for an interview at UAE embassy.

After I recived a case complete, is it okey to travel for vaccation (2 or 3 months) to my home country and return back just in time to attend the interview??.. Could it be a problem??

Thanks for the reply

[msc13 282]

Yes, I hope we get invoiced this week! And I feel pretty cool, getting a message from a famous person! I sent the link to the ny times article to so many people while we were waiting at uscis.

My kids laughed when I read this to them. The only famous one in our house is Elvis our dog who was on the video. The article was good though. It passed a couple of months while we were interviewed and then waiting for it to go to print. I SO hope we get this invoice.

[Soloenta 2,218]

Thank you! I am so frustrated. I really hope her mistake doesnt cost me a month or longer in this process

May I suggest to send the Embassy where the interview will be and ask them about this. If nothing else you will know exactly what they expect and you can send your paper work with the Embassy e-mail attached. I have had great information from the Egyptian Embassy and they are notorious to not even e-mail back. So give it a try it can't hurt but help you out. Much luck, your in my prayers.

[Soloenta 2,218]

I forgot, spoke to my husband tonight and sent him this link which is supposed to help you with the Embassy you will be doing the interview at. It gives Embassy specific on documents and where to get them and which ones etc. He looked them over and for Egypt it was completely wrong in every single way so not sure if the others are incorrect or not. So all filing in Cairo do not use this link to check on documents it is totally wrong. The rest I don't know but would be very careful.

Link in question. http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country/EG.html

Edited June 2, 2014 by Soloenta