October 2016 I-130 Filers

[nessasmom980 50]

6 minutes ago, AlviNY said:

Nice, which country was it? mine is Oct 14th.

India

[NotwdwMorocco 13]

On Wed Apr 05 2017 at 8:05 AM, AmyLo said:

An October 4 filer got approved at Nebraska without being transferred! Hurray! Hallelujah! 

What country is the spouse from if you don't mind me asking. My husband and I are going crazy. Oct. 12 is when they received our file. good news soon I hope. This process is so heart wrenching.

[AmyLo 30]

One from Taiwan and one from Ghana! 

[NotwdwMorocco 13]

On Fri Mar 31 2017 at 0:24 AM, shammu said:

Please help.

 

I am an October 2016 petitioner as well. 

 

Without thinking much, I have managed to make a mistake on my Tax Returns; filing it as single (since she isn't here with me or have any status in USA). I was wondering how many of you guys have done the same, or if not what can you do to rectify it before it becomes a problem. 

 

Some forums suggest that I should file as Married, SEPARATELY; else this would cause a problem during the NVC / Interview stage? NVC Stage does require the petitioner's W2s and Last year Tax Returns. I am planning to Amend my return, but is this necessary? As fellow October petitioners, with the NVC stage coming up anytime soon, how have you guys prepared for this? Please please help by sharing your thoughts and shedding some light on my misunderstanding/mistake. 

 

I also thought about the possibility of doing an Amend on my return after she comes here and gets an SSN number. Right now I have to re-work the papers with TurboTax, print the parts and send it off to Federal and State separately. I have to put a dummy SSN for it to let me add my spouse and print the return, and then Whiteout the SSN sections and write NRA or Non Resident Alien. I do not mind doing this, but I have to white out and scan these documents for NVC soon as well and not sure how that will go with a Hand Written Tax Return. Would it look bad? fabricated?. Yes, I maybe overthinking this, but rightfully so as I've been tired of this long wait away from my loved one. I just do not want anymore delays or complications than there already is. 

 

Please share your thoughts. 

I filed married but separately. When I called the IRS they advised me to place NRA in my husband's social security field.

[agripa 100]

4 minutes ago, NotwdwMorocco said:

I filed married but separately. When I called the IRS they advised me to place NRA in my husband's social security field.

I did the same as well. I spoke extensively to an uncle of mine who was a tax lawyer and for anyone else looking what to do during tax seasons, you have three options --

1. File as "Married, Filing Separately", but DO NOT claim your spouse as an exemption.
2. File as "Married, Filing Separately", but claim your spouse as an exemption.
3. File as "Married, Filing Jointly".

If you go down Route 2 or 3, things are a bit more complicated. You will need to file for a Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) by filling out form W7. The tricky part about this form is you are required to provide either the ORIGINAL or a "certified" copy of your spouse's passport. By "certified", the IRS means stamped/validated by the ISSUING organization. You CANNOT simply get it notarized. The flipside of Route 2 or 3 is that if your spouse happens to be unemployed or is earning in a foreign currency much weaker than the US dollar (e.g., like my spouse in India) it could reduce your tax bill substantially. 

 

Route 1 is much easier as you don't need to file anything and simply need to write "NRA" in the field "Spouse's SSN". But you won't reap any of the benefits of filing jointly. 

[nativeson 47]

On 11/21/2016 at 3:52 AM, misshepburn said:

Hey guys -- I filed in September, but just checking in to see how you're all doing.

If you are waiting for an NOA2 still - I prepared a guide for while you are waiting that I posted in my group here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/608358-september-2016-i-130-filers/?p=8327482

 

Time for everyone to read up and start getting ready.

[October2016 0]

17 minutes ago, nativeson said:

 

Time for everyone to read up and start getting ready.

Wow thanks

[Lacosta 40]

Uscis received my application on oct 25, 2016. Nothing so far.

[lamafiosa69 46]

Good to hear about the October Approvals. I was transferred to Texas so hopefully i hear some new about Texas soon......

[Kattikiarash 2]

11 hours ago, goobies said:

Yaaaay! Congratulations!  Which country is your spouse from?

Thank you! He's from Iran ☺️

[vbjohn 14]

I have seen 2 numbers just in front of and after mine getting approvals/RFE. mine is stuck in the middle without any movement 

[mimi2017 1]

Please, everyone keep us updated as you get your approvals!

you give hope for some people 

[NotwdwMorocco 13]

2 hours ago, vbjohn said:

I have seen 2 numbers just in front of and after mine getting approvals/RFE. mine is stuck in the middle without any movement 

How do you see who is getting approved and what their case numbers are? I have heard nothing as of yet and trying to look up as much info as possible. My case was received on October 12. 

[vbjohn 14]

1 minute ago, NotwdwMorocco said:

How do you see who is getting approved and what their case numbers are? I have heard nothing as of yet and trying to look up as much info as possible. My case was received on October 12. 

U can know which case numbers are getting approved using USCIS mobile app. It shows the status of upto 100 case number  based on the input of your/ any random case number. 

[NotwdwMorocco 13]

1 hour ago, vbjohn said:

U can know which case numbers are getting approved using USCIS mobile app. It shows the status of upto 100 case number  based on the input of your/ any random case number. 

Thank you so much!