2015 Filers

[myao 15]

As the petitioner, what filing status do I use for my tax returns?

You have three options: married filing separately (MFS), married filing jointly (MFJ), or head of household (HOH).

For HOH, there's some criteria you need to meet to be able to use this. Please see the IRS website for more information. For most people though, it's either between MFS or MFJ.

Before I continue, I will say this once and only once: YOU CANNOT FILE SINGLE. If you are married, you are married. Doesn't matter where in the universe your spouse is, YOU ARE STILL MARRIED. You will be lying to the IRS if you file as single, and if caught, could cause serious issues. If you have already filed taxes, either this year or last, and were married, yet filed as single, amend your tax return ASAP. If at the time of the interview, there are tax return transcripts in the case file showing the petitioner filed as single, this can be a HUGE red flag. The CO will have to wonder why the petitioner filed as single when they're trying to get a spousal visa. In their eyes, your relationship can be seen as a fraud and could be reason for denial.

For both MFS and MFJ, the petitioner will have to file a paper tax return. Electronic submissions won't be possible the first year.

Filing MFS will probably be the easiest for most people as it doesn't require any extra documents from the foreign spouse, nor does it require their signature. On the tax return, where it asks for the spouse's SSN, you would put 'NRA' for Non-Resident Alien. Continue filling out the rest of the return as normal. That is all you have to do. (And if desired, once the spouse has immigrated to the US and has obtained a SSN, the petitioner can then amend their tax return to MFJ, to possibly get a bigger refund, but this isn't required.)

Filing MFJ will typically mean a bigger refund up front, with no need to amend. This route takes a little more work though as the beneficiary will have to fill out a W7 (available on the IRS site), which requires a signature, and include document(s), so they can obtain a ITIN (it's like a SSN, but for the sole purpose of filing taxes, and is available for those not currently living in the US). This would then be included with the tax return, and sent to a special address for ITIN generation. For most countries, it may be hard to get the needed documents. (For Canada, it was uber easy, and this is how my husband did his taxes while I was still in Canada, waiting for my interview). Please view the instructions for the W7 form on the IRS website to see what documents will be needed.

For more information, please read this page on IRS's website here

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process#Step_3_-_Pay_AOS_Fee

Another thing to note, married filing separately may not be the best if you want tax returns. You may not be eligible to claim certain items and your tax rate could be higher. This is what i remember when i was filing last year.

[Gakkykiba 3]

Are there any new NOA2 for 2015 filers? It's been awhile since they gave one out. The wait is torture. Our PD is July 29, 2015.

[angeleyes053188 5]

My PD is March 17 2015. I have not yet received a welcome letter. Any tips? I just curious, because I think I should have one by now.

[myao 15]

My PD is March 17 2015. I have not yet received a welcome letter. Any tips? I just curious, because I think I should have one by now.

you can call them and ask "please update me about the case" they would either say no visa available yet or they started reviewing your case last (date here) and wait for 42 days for WL.

[Rick_ES_USA 13]

As a matter of fact, according to our Tracking List, no one with a PD of March has received a WL yet.

My PD is March 17 2015. I have not yet received a welcome letter. Any tips? I just curious, because I think I should have one by now.

[angeleyes053188 5]

you can call them and ask "please update me about the case" they would either say no visa available yet or they started reviewing your case last (date here) and wait for 42 days for WL.

I called and I said "please update me about my case." They responded that there is no visa available. I am going to call again on the 31st of December or in January. Hopefully, I will hear something from them then.

[abdo&s 0]

PD 03/02 no WL yet, no update on the nvc website, i am hoping this week as it's first week in december to see a big change. Staying optimist

Keep us updated guys.

[myao 15]

PD 03/02 no WL yet, no update on the nvc website, i am hoping this week as it's first week in december to see a big change. Staying optimist

Keep us updated guys.

have you tried calling? I know someone with pd 9March15 and got their welcome letter last week. Hoping there's a big jump!

[abdo&s 0]

I just called them, she said no visa available for your case and so we can't start processing your case now, also she told you might not have anything in december

):

[moshe125 0]

I just called them, she said no visa available for your case and so we can't start processing your case now, also she told you might not have anything in december

):

[moshe125 0]

Most of the officials who answer the phone at NVC don't have any idea at all. I assume next in line to receive WL are March and April 2015.

I believe during December you will receive it.

[angeleyes053188 5]

Most of the officials who answer the phone at NVC don't have any idea at all. I assume next in line to receive WL are March and April 2015.

I believe during December you will receive it.

I have noticed that as well. They say the same thing.

[Phil10 0]

good luck .u will get soon i have been approved for 30 days

Thankyou @saidk , scandate 01DeC 2015, I hope will get CC Jan 2nd week of 2016 ??

[Phil10 0]

NAME--------------------PD----------NOA2--------NVC----------WL------SCAN DATE-----CASE COMP.--INTERVIEW

saidk-----------------07JAN15-----28MAY15-----28JUN15-----15SEP15-----00000------04Nov15

Phil10----------------07JAN15-----06APR15-----26APR15----28OCT15-----01Dec15

Hamid1234----------12JAN15-----29SEP15--------------------05NOV15-----

neriel19--------------12JAN15-----16APR15-----02JUL15-----29OCT15-----

MarGil----------------20JAN15-----06APR15-----27JUN15-----27OCT15-----17Nov15---

shohin845-----------30JAN15-----06JUN15-----09JUL15-----14OCT15-----

myao------------------03FEB15-----06APR15-----23APR15-----15OCT15-----000000--25Nov15

Krishia----------------03FEB15-----

pb2005---------------03FEB15-----01APR15-----

jakson_guitar--------09FEB15-----

Bubblicious27--------18FEB15-----

abdo&s----------------02MAR15-----29SEP15-----15OCT15-----

sony119---------------09MAR15-----22JUN15-----09SEP15-----

carot12---------------09MAR15-----13MAY15-----17JUN15-----

angeleyes053188-------17MAR15-----28APR15-----09JUL15-----

CinthiaFL717----------25MAR15-----04APR15-----09JUN15-----

mezbah ahamed---------25MAR15-----

moshe125--------------25MAR15-----

Gagz------------------14APR15-----14SEP15-----06OCT15-----

masih27---------------15APR15-----15MAY15-----15SEP15-----

Mona89----------------05MAY15-----02JUL15-----

Rose And Ricky--------21MAY15-----16JUN15-----30JUL15-----

Trini123--------------01JUN15-----09JUL15-----18AUG15-----

mnlDad----------------08JUN15-----06AUG15-----28AUG15-----

Blankstare------------16JUN15-----

arken-----------------17JUN15-----27AUG15-----05OCT15-----

DNIEPU----------------29JUN15-----11AUG15-----21AUG15-----

djawal----------------29JUN15-----03SEP15-----06OCT15-----

kemal1010-------------09JUL15-----

enoo------------------09JUL15-----29SEP15-----06NOV15-----

Gakkykiba-------------29JUL15-----

Hamm------------------24AUG15-----

ykrainochka-----------26AUG15-----

Rick_ES_USA-----------26AUG15-----

manhattan_sinatra-----14SEP15-----

Tracy-->NY------------09OCT15-----

babylove15------------02NOV15-----

[angeleyes053188 5]

Okay,

So this is good information to have. I called the NVC today, and talked to a really nice woman. She was amazing! She was like I understand, but make sure that you check the Visa Bulletin. She said that in order to determine if your case can continue on in processing you have to check the other chart. The second chart. That will determine if you can turn in your paperwork.

This is what the second Chart said...

B. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSORED
VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the cut-off date in the chart below may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The cut-off date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date.

So The cut off date is 01March15, so everyone before that date SHOULD have a welcome letter. If you don't have a welcome letter, and you date is before 01March15, I would advise you to call them.

I hope this helps.

So, hopefully the next Visa Bulletin will advance!