Case Complete to Interview June 2016

[Sukie 1,456]

Update: My husband he left yesterday to go to Lagos to drop off his passport at the DHL collection center. That's an 8 hour bus/car ride. He got there to late since the center closed at 4pm. Dang it.

So this morning he text me good morning said he was getting ready. Text here and there throughout the day. "Too many people, its hectic. Now trouble". Trouble I say, Now he just said to me an hour ago "Baby they rejected the drop off application and passport. Let me call you and explain".

My head is swirling I am sick to stomach all a sudden. Now I hear the beats (music thumpin) of his car. No way who is driving my hubbies car.

IT IS HIM. That sneaky man. :dance:

With the biggest smile he gets out the car. I knew I just got played.

Passport submitted yesterday he got there before 4pm. They gave him the papers where to pick up VISA in 10 days.

If I wasn't so happy and relieved I would kick his butt. LOL Love this man.

Hopefully you kissed him before you killed him!!! What a trickster! Still want a picture of you in that dress!

Sukie in NY

[greyidgdess 0]

Good evening all,

I did my 2015 tax return as single because the person who did it for me said it wont be a problem. I recently realize that i was supposed to do it as married.

Do I need to do an amended tax return before hubby's interview? (I sent 2015 tax transcript to NVC along with all AOS documents back in march. NVC didn't give me a checklist or hasn't said anything about it.)

I have some suggestions but need to know if there is any particular reason you needed to do your taxes as married (don't want to give irrelevant info)

[Thomianguy 36]

Good evening all,

I did my 2015 tax return as single because the person who did it for me said it wont be a problem. I recently realize that i was supposed to do it as married.

Do I need to do an amended tax return before hubby's interview? (I sent 2015 tax transcript to NVC along with all AOS documents back in march. NVC didn't give me a checklist or hasn't said anything about it.)

This was a HUGE worry for us during our process. For the year 2015, I filed as "Head of Household" despite being married to someone overseas. A few people pointed out that I should have filed as "married" and that I should amend my return to reflect this. It had NEVER entered my mind to file as "married" because my wife was NOT here in the states, subsequently not having a SS # or the identifying number so logic dictated it made no sense to include someone (my wife) on my tax return who was not qualified for ANY benefit in the U.S at the time.

Some people pointed to me that the IRS had made provisions to add a spouse to the returns and file as married even if they had no SS#, but there was one caveat the IRS site did not mention and that is, the provision is made for those spouses who are ALREADY living in the states and are being filed for. Without this caveat, some folks figured it ALSO applied to applicant spouses living overseas.

I went back to my tax folks and they insisted I did NOT need to amend my return and told me what the IRS allowed was not necessarily here nor there with the embassies. They told me they could not or it made no sense to include someone WITHOUT a SS# on my return. So, to end all the worry, I went and asked the question directly of the embassy. As I somewhat expected, I was told it did NOT matter to them. All they cared about was whether or not my return and AOS showed I could support myself, my incoming spouse and my children which they did. They understood that NOT using a filing status as "married" (with an explanation if asked) was acceptable especially considering that in every other bit of evidence, I mentioned or showed I was married.

Now, the key difference here between you and I is that I filed "head of household" which does NOT necessarily imply I am NOT married. Filing "single" implies that, but in these cases, I am not sure it indicates an applicant is trying to hide something. So, I suggest you do like I did and go right to the horse's mouth and ask them. The U.S Embassy in Guyana had an email address where you could contact them and they responded next business day.

[Thomianguy 36]

Good evening all,

I did my 2015 tax return as single because the person who did it for me said it wont be a problem. I recently realize that i was supposed to do it as married.

Do I need to do an amended tax return before hubby's interview? (I sent 2015 tax transcript to NVC along with all AOS documents back in march. NVC didn't give me a checklist or hasn't said anything about it.)

Oh, I failed to mention that with all the worry, this was not even mentioned or brought up during the interview. They just took the tax return and the AOS, packed them together, asked my wife a few questions unrelated to finances and handed her the approval letter.

[Frankjavir 55]

Update: My husband he left yesterday to go to Lagos to drop off his passport at the DHL collection center. That's an 8 hour bus/car ride. He got there to late since the center closed at 4pm. Dang it.

So this morning he text me good morning said he was getting ready. Text here and there throughout the day. "Too many people, its hectic. Now trouble". Trouble I say, Now he just said to me an hour ago "Baby they rejected the drop off application and passport. Let me call you and explain".

My head is swirling I am sick to stomach all a sudden. Now I hear the beats (music thumpin) of his car. No way who is driving my hubbies car.

IT IS HIM. That sneaky man. :dance:

With the biggest smile he gets out the car. I knew I just got played.

Passport submitted yesterday he got there before 4pm. They gave him the papers where to pick up VISA in 10 days.

If I wasn't so happy and relieved I would kick his butt. LOL Love this man.

I am so happy for you guys!!!

Congratulations.

[greyidgdess 0]

This was a HUGE worry for us during our process. For the year 2015, I filed as "Head of Household" despite being married to someone overseas. A few people pointed out that I should have filed as "married" and that I should amend my return to reflect this. It had NEVER entered my mind to file as "married" because my wife was NOT here in the states, subsequently not having a SS # or the identifying number so logic dictated it made no sense to include someone (my wife) on my tax return who was not qualified for ANY benefit in the U.S at the time.

Some people pointed to me that the IRS had made provisions to add a spouse to the returns and file as married even if they had no SS#, but there was one caveat the IRS site did not mention and that is, the provision is made for those spouses who are ALREADY living in the states and are being filed for. Without this caveat, some folks figured it ALSO applied to applicant spouses living overseas.

I went back to my tax folks and they insisted I did NOT need to amend my return and told me what the IRS allowed was not necessarily here nor there with the embassies. They told me they could not or it made no sense to include someone WITHOUT a SS# on my return. So, to end all the worry, I went and asked the question directly of the embassy. As I somewhat expected, I was told it did NOT matter to them. All they cared about was whether or not my return and AOS showed I could support myself, my incoming spouse and my children which they did. They understood that NOT using a filing status as "married" (with an explanation if asked) was acceptable especially considering that in every other bit of evidence, I mentioned or showed I was married.

Now, the key difference here between you and I is that I filed "head of household" which does NOT necessarily imply I am NOT married. Filing "single" implies that, but in these cases, I am not sure it indicates an applicant is trying to hide something. So, I suggest you do like I did and go right to the horse's mouth and ask them. The U.S Embassy in Guyana had an email address where you could contact them and they responded next business day.

My prior experiences mirror yours and I've done this a couple time. There are special rules involving claiming a non-resident spouse on your tax return. The embassies are aware that it is not the norm to claim your non-resident spouse and therefore don't nitpick about this on the tax returns; they're more concerned about your income on your tax returns. As far as filing "Head of Household" versus filing "single", that also isn't an issue since you can only file Head of Household if you meet the qualifying criteria (ex: I file as Head of Household because I have at least 1 dependent who lives with me 12 months of the year and for whom I provide more than 50% of their support).

[Noorie 1]

This was a HUGE worry for us during our process. For the year 2015, I filed as "Head of Household" despite being married to someone overseas. A few people pointed out that I should have filed as "married" and that I should amend my return to reflect this. It had NEVER entered my mind to file as "married" because my wife was NOT here in the states, subsequently not having a SS # or the identifying number so logic dictated it made no sense to include someone (my wife) on my tax return who was not qualified for ANY benefit in the U.S at the time.

Some people pointed to me that the IRS had made provisions to add a spouse to the returns and file as married even if they had no SS#, but there was one caveat the IRS site did not mention and that is, the provision is made for those spouses who are ALREADY living in the states and are being filed for. Without this caveat, some folks figured it ALSO applied to applicant spouses living overseas.

I went back to my tax folks and they insisted I did NOT need to amend my return and told me what the IRS allowed was not necessarily here nor there with the embassies. They told me they could not or it made no sense to include someone WITHOUT a SS# on my return. So, to end all the worry, I went and asked the question directly of the embassy. As I somewhat expected, I was told it did NOT matter to them. All they cared about was whether or not my return and AOS showed I could support myself, my incoming spouse and my children which they did. They understood that NOT using a filing status as "married" (with an explanation if asked) was acceptable especially considering that in every other bit of evidence, I mentioned or showed I was married.

Now, the key difference here between you and I is that I filed "head of household" which does NOT necessarily imply I am NOT married. Filing "single" implies that, but in these cases, I am not sure it indicates an applicant is trying to hide something. So, I suggest you do like I did and go right to the horse's mouth and ask them. The U.S Embassy in Guyana had an email address where you could contact them and they responded next business day.

Thank you so much Thomianguy! I really appreciate it. I will email them tomorrow and see what they say. Thank you again for explaining it to me in details

[Noorie 1]

Oh, I failed to mention that with all the worry, this was not even mentioned or brought up during the interview. They just took the tax return and the AOS, packed them together, asked my wife a few questions unrelated to finances and handed her the approval letter.

Wow i hope our interview goes as easy and smooth as yours:)

I don't know why I am so nervous about his interview. I feel like they will put him on AP or deny him for silliest reason.

[Noorie 1]

I have some suggestions but need to know if there is any particular reason you needed to do your taxes as married (don't want to give irrelevant info)

I don't have any particular reason. I was just told by someone that the embassy won't accept my tax transcript because I filed it as single even though I am married.

[shsl73 29]

This was a HUGE worry for us during our process. For the year 2015, I filed as "Head of Household" despite being married to someone overseas. A few people pointed out that I should have filed as "married" and that I should amend my return to reflect this. It had NEVER entered my mind to file as "married" because my wife was NOT here in the states, subsequently not having a SS # or the identifying number so logic dictated it made no sense to include someone (my wife) on my tax return who was not qualified for ANY benefit in the U.S at the time.

Some people pointed to me that the IRS had made provisions to add a spouse to the returns and file as married even if they had no SS#, but there was one caveat the IRS site did not mention and that is, the provision is made for those spouses who are ALREADY living in the states and are being filed for. Without this caveat, some folks figured it ALSO applied to applicant spouses living overseas.

I went back to my tax folks and they insisted I did NOT need to amend my return and told me what the IRS allowed was not necessarily here nor there with the embassies. They told me they could not or it made no sense to include someone WITHOUT a SS# on my return. So, to end all the worry, I went and asked the question directly of the embassy. As I somewhat expected, I was told it did NOT matter to them. All they cared about was whether or not my return and AOS showed I could support myself, my incoming spouse and my children which they did. They understood that NOT using a filing status as "married" (with an explanation if asked) was acceptable especially considering that in every other bit of evidence, I mentioned or showed I was married.

Now, the key difference here between you and I is that I filed "head of household" which does NOT necessarily imply I am NOT married. Filing "single" implies that, but in these cases, I am not sure it indicates an applicant is trying to hide something. So, I suggest you do like I did and go right to the horse's mouth and ask them. The U.S Embassy in Guyana had an email address where you could contact them and they responded next business day.

Very interesting. There is a wiki page that speaks to this and I think that you should add an update to it to at minmum inform petitioners to reach out to their perspective embassies to ask the question, consult a tax professional or even the IRS. I know that this comes up often and I even had questions regarding it when I filed my taxes...even searched on the IRS site to become familiar with the requirements. As with anything, I think that although we rely heavily on each other for information here...it is in each individual persons responsibility to do their own due diligence to ensure that they are doing what they need to do for filing purposes with both government entities.

Frankjr shared a publication with me, if my memory serves me correctly that also spoke to this point to some degree. I don't recall the publication number but I would encourage anyone to go to the IRS site and just do a search and familiarize themselves with the requirements. Just be equipped with information.

Edited May 6, 2016 by shsl73

[greyidgdess 0]

I don't have any particular reason. I was just told by someone that the embassy won't accept my tax transcript because I filed it as single even though I am married.

I wouldn't worry about it. The IRS has rules for filing for a non resident spouse, which is completely optional and oftentimes not beneficial. I filed as Head of Household because I have dependent children for this one, and for my first marriage I filed as single and didn't have any issues - it wasn't even brought up. With the tax return and the AOS, they're more concerned that the numbers match than anything else.

My guess is that whoever told you that was concerned about "proof of commingling assets" and filing a joint tax return is one way (of many) to do that. However, if your spouse is going to have to apply to remove conditions after arriving here, the tax thing could be an issue (for the tax years following your spouses arrival).

Definitely send an email to the embassy for verification but in the meantime relax a bit knowing that it really shouldn't be an issue.

Edited May 6, 2016 by greyidgdess

[Petes30 3]

I'm am killing myself laughing. Petes30...you don't think I'm sane. Haha haha...truth be told between work and this process I have officially been declared certifiable. When the 1st check comes...imma split it with you so we can have a stash for our bail bond we might need to post.

I actually have to log in here periodically to distract myself momentarily from the chaos at work and partially because I am nosey as h***. AND because I love the spirit that oozing from the excitement of the members here as they progress through each phase of the process. Heck, if I wasn't going through this process..I might just have become a poser/VJ stalker just for the sheer excitment of the capitalized text "APPROVED"...or dwheels throwing out "MOFO" bombs..now although I understood her piss-tifity at the highest level...it was a relief, coupled with mad laughter, to see that someone other than myself want to f***** cuss at this process.

*check stamped CRA CRA 4 real!

Seriously though..there are some on here that are truly longing for their loved ones and to just take a break and laugh takes the edge off a bit. Gotta hold each up because this is some serious a** stuff. Example, Deji who was asked for everything and darn near a vital organ during the interview...poor me would've needed a 5th of Vodka after that!

Swagg star encourages my crazy...by doing rain dances and chanting my name for a funny!

Congrats to you and your family being reunited!

Girl you said quite the mouthful, but that is the complete truth. The day I found out our interview date, I was really frustrated and just gave up.

So in dwheels case, thinking this is the end, only to have a glitch in the system and put in AP. Knowing me, I probably would try to argue. Lol knowing it wouldn't make a difference. I did understand her frustration for that very reason.

People don't understand this process until they are going thru it. So each one help one. I am just glad I found this support group.

Thanks all!!!

[Hansona 11]

Nothing yet. Tooth pulled two days ago, final exams, new job position, and graduation in less then 11 days are kicking my butt. New things happening in my life. Just that, the Queen is not around to enjoy the excitements with her King I am just praying for a better news from this Journey. I want to feel my baby moving inside my Queen's belly. October is the due date. Anyway, God knows what is best for all of us.

Don't worry, it will all be well. I'm sure you will be reunited with your Queen soon and be able to be there for the birth of your baby. I pray you hear something soon, let's hope this month. Soon this journey will be over and we all will be reunited with our loved ones. Stay strong and soon it will all be over.

[Hansona 11]

Hey guys,my hubby call nvc today an they told him that they are currently working on getting me a interview an as soon as a date is available they will let us know,I'm praying that this month end something will be made.lord take the wheel on this part..

I pray you hear something soon!

[shsl73 29]

Girl you said quite the mouthful, but that is the complete truth. The day I found out our interview date, I was really frustrated and just gave up.

So in dwheels case, thinking this is the end, only to have a glitch in the system and put in AP. Knowing me, I probably would try to argue. Lol knowing it wouldn't make a difference. I did understand her frustration for that very reason.

People don't understand this process until they are going thru it. So each one help one. I am just glad I found this support group.

Thanks all!!!

IKR...worrying about every little thing from not leaving a space/field blank to did I supply enough evidence to a checklist is taxing on the brain. I know I have a long way to get but I promise you if I can just laugh a little bit and not stress myself or my hubby...then that's what I am going to do. And if I never see another form or piece a paper ever again...I will be alright with that. And you are so right, it's doesn't effect you until it affects you!