Sponsor's Employment and Income Question - Assessing Annual Income

[IamIan 14]

Hi all, I am filling out an extra copy of the USCIS Form I-864 for my husband (the owner of this account) to take with him to the embassy.

I am paid a base salary, which has been raised to $39,000 plus a monthly commission of up to $500 per month. I am looking at the portion where they are asking for my "Current individual annual income." Do I just use my guaranteed base salary, or should I average out my commission and add it to the base salary for my total salary? That is what I did for the first form that was sent and approved, but I've had a raise in my base salary since then (by not much at all, but hey), also they lowered the requirements to hit the bonus so I've hit the full $500 each month thus far. Also, I receive an extra $800 quarterly bonus. That averages to nearly $51,000. I know when I applied for loans and such over the years, they just want my guarantee base and not my payment scheme details. What should I enter on that particular line since my 2016 forecast is higher than my 2015 actual? I've been employed by the same company for several years now,

Should I go back and figure out what I wrote for 2015 using after-tax figures and averages, or should I work with my current higher figure and work letterhead letter confirming my new title and my now current payment scheme? Or is this myself putting stress on a situation where I am well above the 100% poverty level?

[IamIan 14]

Just adding this is my husbands forum account I am using to post this, just to avoid any confusion

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

You don't have to do a new form just to get more qualified. You can leave it with what you said you already sent.

But to answer your question--

Current individual annual income should be typically the guaranteed salary because you don't know for sure your commissions, nor can you prove them. Furthermore you should only put what you can document on paper. Proof can be an employer letter stating how much you make, six months pay stubs, or a tax return (for example if you are self employed and don't have an employer or pay stubs.)

[IamIan 14]

I thought as much. My employer is going to give me a letter stating my currently salary/payment scheme which has been elevated since I filled out my I-864 by several thousand. When we filed all of this paperwork at USCIS, I gave them my tax records from 2013-2015 along with the proper tax return transcripts, plus pay stubs and so forth. The only information that they requested was my 2015 tax transcript for my husband to bring to his embassy interview.

Other than the tax transcript, would it be wise to fill out another I-864 and supply all the paystub and employer letter info just in case?

[NikLR 13,227]

~~moved to IR1/CR1 process and procedures. Question is about the I-864 not about doing taxes or financial planning as intended for this forum.~~

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I thought as much. My employer is going to give me a letter stating my currently salary/payment scheme which has been elevated since I filled out my I-864 by several thousand. When we filed all of this paperwork at USCIS, I gave them my tax records from 2013-2015 along with the proper tax return transcripts, plus pay stubs and so forth. The only information that they requested was my 2015 tax transcript for my husband to bring to his embassy interview.

Other than the tax transcript, would it be wise to fill out another I-864 and supply all the paystub and employer letter info just in case?

If you already qualified then there is no reason to fill out a new form just to report a raise. You're ok already. You gain nothing and you can't get more approved by making more money. Had you lost your job since NVC reviewed your qualifications and had a totally new employer, then a new form reporting the new employer name/address and a new letter would be appropriate. But you are still with the same employer.