N-400 Application and IRS Installment Agreement

[juliava 80]

Hello everyone,

I have not been here in ages, but it feels great to return! I am preparing my application for citizenship (I am waaaaayyy overdue) and, so far, as far as tax-related documentation I have copies of tax transcripts for the past 3 years (including 2016). However, I am confused as far as what type of documentation do I need to include in my application if I owe taxes from previous years, there is an installment agreement in place, and we've been paying monthly and did not miss a payment? The instructions on document checklist seem too general  to me. Has anyone been in this situation to shed some light here? 

Thank you guys!!

[candybabe 46]

On ‎5‎/‎5‎/‎2017 at 5:21 PM, juliava said:

Hello everyone,

I have not been here in ages, but it feels great to return! I am preparing my application for citizenship (I am waaaaayyy overdue) and, so far, as far as tax-related documentation I have copies of tax transcripts for the past 3 years (including 2016). However, I am confused as far as what type of documentation do I need to include in my application if I owe taxes from previous years, there is an installment agreement in place, and we've been paying monthly and did not miss a payment? The instructions on document checklist seem too general  to me. Has anyone been in this situation to shed some light here? 

Thank you guys!!

I would include:

- copies of the tax returns,

- copy of extension - if you requested an extension for filing

- the installment plan and 

- current statement as of the date of your N-400 form.

 

Then when you have the actual interview, I would bring

- an updated statement of the remainder balance or of paid in full (you may be done paying by the time you get to your interview)

 

Also, if this happened for multiple years, you would probably need to have an explanation as to why it has happened multiple times - You will need that to support good moral conduct as paying taxes timely is a criteria they look at to determine that.

You wouldn't want them to think you are avoiding paying taxes in the current year and then paying what you owe in smaller installments over a longer period as a routine practice.

 

Hope this helps.

 

I am not an immigration specialist / lawyer

 

 

[juliava 80]

Thank you for your response. I am eligible to apply either based on 5 years residency or through the "at least 3-years marriage" thing. We always filed for taxes each year and never missed a payment. If I file under the 5 years rule, do I need to submit tax transcripts for the past 5 years? 2012 is tough to get!

[candybabe 46]

On ‎5‎/‎16‎/‎2017 at 6:48 PM, juliava said:

Thank you for your response. I am eligible to apply either based on 5 years residency or through the "at least 3-years marriage" thing. We always filed for taxes each year and never missed a payment. If I file under the 5 years rule, do I need to submit tax transcripts for the past 5 years? 2012 is tough to get!

Yes , you would need to submit for the 5 years - and regardless of whether you apply based on 3 years , because you have been a resident for way longer than 3, they may just request the 5 year history anyway.

I have read on here that the interviewing officer actually corrected the selection on the N-400 during the interview from 3 year rule to 5 year rule for an applicant that had been a resident for longer than 5 years .

 

IRS will send you older transcripts via mail rather than online as well - so if 2012 doesn't show up online , you could request it via mail - or if you use H&R or TurboTax they would have it too saved in their software.

 

 

[juliava 80]

Thank you so much! I am planning to send my package by the end of this week. Looks like I will be a June applicant.