Tax Documents at Final US Embassy Interview

[zach21uk 3]

Hi There,

 

I have recently had my NVC case approved and have been scheduled for my US Embassy Interview in Nicosia, Cyprus on June 9th.   We included two affidavits of support with the paperwork sent to NVC - my wifes and a second one from her Uncle.

 

On the approval letter, we got a minor checklist in that we were asked to bring an IRS Transcript for 2015 for the second Affidavit of Support. (he was supposed to included 2014 and 2015 IRS transcripts in our packet, but only put 2014) to the interview.  It also asks for W2's that relate to 2015 - this is the exact quote:

 

Quote

[x] Your_2015____ IRS transcript from the most recent tax year.  You can get a transcript on the IRS's website: irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript.  If you cannot get an IRS transcript, please send a photocopy of your Federal income tax return and a copy of every Form W-2 and Form 1099 that relates to your return(s). Do not include copies of these forms if you provide an IRS transcript for your Federal individual tax returns rather than a photocopy unless you filed a joint income tax return with your spouse and are qualifying using only your income.

 

[x] A copy of every W-2 form that relates to  your_2015___ tax returns.

 

So we are thinking - not a problem right?  We spoke to her uncle and he has ordered transcripts for both 2015 and 2016 and he is mailing them to us via DHL so we will have them at the end of the week.   The thing is, the transcripts do not seem to include W2's.  He already sent us the 2014 transcript and there was no W2.  So do we have a problem there?

 

Then I looked at the embassy information PDF for Nicosia: https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/iv-dv-supplemental/NCS - Nicosia.pdf

 

On there under the list of documents to bring it says:   "The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and any relevant W-2s."

 

There it says an IRS transcript OR the most recent income tax return and W2.

 

But then we just called the embassy directly and queried and they told us on the phone that typically they prefer to have the 1040 and the W2 for at least the most recent year, but preferably the last three years.   I asked them "So, if we bring IRS Transcripts for 2014, 2015 and 2016, will that be sufficient?" and all the lady said was "....we prefer to have the 1040 and W2".

 

So now we are concerned.  My wife's uncle files all his taxes via TurboTax.  He has sent us Turbotax PDF's for 2013, 2014 and 2015.  The 2013 one is 44 pages long and includes a W2 however the 2014 and 2015 ones are much shorter (around 14 pages) and do not include W2's.  We have asked him about getting those and he insists that he cannot.

 

So the question: are we going to be okay with ONLY the IRS Transcripts, or should we insist that he try to get the 1040's and W2's?

 

Hope someone can advice.

Zach & Liz.

Edited May 4, 2017 by zach21uk

[Sukie 1,460]

I am surprised that the person at the embassy said they preferred the tax returns.  Most embassies prefer the transcripts as that PROVES what was submitted to the IRS.  The W-2s are a moot point if you have the transcript!  If you brought copies of the 1040s, then yes, you would need the W-2s to prove the income.

 

The only reason they'd want the actual tax returns is to see exactly where the money is coming from.  Wage income is probably preferable to investment income, as the assumption is that it is steadier. 

 

If you have 2015 and 2016 transcripts, I do not think you will have an issue.  I think you could also print out a copy of the Nicosia webpage and have it up your sleeve at the interview in case there is any question. 

 

Best of luck.

 

Sukie in NY

Edited May 4, 2017 by Sukie
typo

[Grant PDX 183]

At one point I submitted transcripts only and got an RFE for W2s.  This was at AOS stage a couple of years ago.  It likely slowed our process by a few weeks.  Whoever adjudicates the case can ask for it as it is listed, and deny or delay if they don't receive it.  Obviously if you don't have it, you can't submit it, but it can affect the petition.  Since it's listed it is a requirement and they can decide on a case-by-case basis how to handle that at the embassy.

[bcking 3,157]

If your uncle still works at the same place that he did in 2014/2015 he should be able to request copies of his W-2's from those years. Even if he doesn't work at the same employer, he can contact the employer. They are supposed to keep them as records (your uncle also should keep them).

 

It's strange that the tax return from one year included them but the following 2 didn't, using the same computer program.

[zach21uk 3]

4 hours ago, bcking said:

If your uncle still works at the same place that he did in 2014/2015 he should be able to request copies of his W-2's from those years. Even if he doesn't work at the same employer, he can contact the employer. They are supposed to keep them as records (your uncle also should keep them).

 

It's strange that the tax return from one year included them but the following 2 didn't, using the same computer program.

I just had him take a look through his files and he found PDFs for 2014 and 2015 that include the W2.  He also sent me 2016 too.   2014 is over 90 pages and 2015 over 120 pages!  Gosh I am going to be taking so much paperwork to the embassy!!

 

Problem solved hopefully!