Questions about ROC (regarding envelope, how to keep the pages together and and tax returns)

[GJF 5]

Hi ladies and gentleman. I am about to send my ROC application soon and I have a couple of questions (some of them may sound silly, but I was not able to find a clear answer for them anywhere).

 

1. What kind of envelope should I use? One of these yellow office envelopes is fine (example click here)?

 

2. What is the most recommended way to keep the pages together? According to their recommendations, they just don`t want staples and they are fine with holes or heavy duty clips. However, any ideas about which one they prefer, the holes (like this) or the black heavy-duty clips (like this)? I do have a 2-hole punch device and acco fasteners, if I use this method, should I make holes on every piece of paper, including the cover letter and the form I751 itself, or just the annex evidence? For some reason, I am afraid to send them a form with holes on it. An I overthinking this?

 

3. What exactly do people mean generically by tax returns? What is the number of the form that has to be sent? Just the 1040 or anything else (1040es, 1040v, 8879)?

 

Thank you all in advance.

Edited May 29, 2017 by GJF

[GJF 5]

Hi CookieCat, thank you so much for your help, I appreciate it.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

If you don't do tax transcripts, as suggested (which isn't necessary but good for ppl with lots of tax info), you'll need copies of all forms and schedules and w2's filed with the original 1040 (or whatever was used). Personally it was easier for us to do the tax returns.

[Sukie 1,460]

If you don't use tax transcripts, at minimum, you will need the 1040 form, all 1099 forms showing income, and all W-2 forms showing income.  They want to know how much money you make, and where it comes from.

 

If your income comes from something other than interest, dividends or wages, you'll need to attach whatever schedules/forms show where the income came from.

 

That's why tax transcripts are easier.  They are just 8 pages long!

 

And....ditto on the ACCO fasteners.  That is how our files are put together at USCIS/NVC.  If you use top-punch ACCO fasteners, they don't have to do all the punching!  (And, therefore, are less likely to lose one of your pages!!!)

 

Sukie in NY

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

4 minutes ago, Sukie said:

That's why tax transcripts are easier.  They are just 8 pages long!

That  does really depend - we had a 1040ez, one 1099 and one w2 - all rdy to go. Which for us beat ordering and waiting on the transcript. It should also be noted that when submitting a joint return from a sponsor the w2 is still requested or will be rfe'd.

 

6 minutes ago, Sukie said:

If you don't use tax transcripts, at minimum, you will need the 1040 form, all 1099 forms showing income, and all W-2 forms showing income.  They want to know how much money you make, and where it comes from.

The tax info is primarily to show good standing with the irs and yes does strengthens any current income claim (if status quo is preserved regarding work and salary since the last tax filing)  but it's not the primary evidence for current income. 

[Sukie 1,460]

Either way (tax return or transcript) is OK.  But just to be clear - they PREFER transcripts, as it shows what is actually on file with the IRS.  You could have filled out your tax return and never mailed it.  The transcript proves it.

 

I ordered tax transcripts via mail on a Friday, and they were in my hands the next Thursday.  It's a miracle.

 

Sukie in NY

[Sukie 1,460]

Just now, CookieCat said:

There is no need to order and wait for tax transcripts when they can be downloaded. While there is no harm in submitting the W2, the OP is in the I-751 stage which means there is no question of showing anything regarding any sponsor. 

They can only be downloaded if they can verify your cellphone number.  I've had the same cellphone number with Verizon since 2001, and the system could not verify my phone number.  I could only get my transcripts via mail.

 

Sukie in NY

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

9 minutes ago, CookieCat said:

There is no need to order and wait for tax transcripts when they can be downloaded. While there is no harm in submitting the W2, the OP is in the I-751 stage which means there is no question of showing anything regarding any sponsor. 

Right in this case it would purely be a part of the return.

 

As mentioned we were also unable to download transcripts.

Edited May 29, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

9 minutes ago, Sukie said:

Either way (tax return or transcript) is OK.  But just to be clear - they PREFER transcripts, as it shows what is actually on file with the IRS.  You could have filled out your tax return and never mailed it.  The transcript proves it.

 

I ordered tax transcripts via mail on a Friday, and they were in my hands the next Thursday.  It's a miracle.

 

Sukie in NY

Nowhere does it say they prefer transcripts although this is commonly said here on VJ. A return verified to be accepted from a efiling software shows the same thing. 

[NYCruiser 423]

We are about the send off our ROC application tomorrow by mail. We used a File an three hole punched everything. (except the check of course LOL). We couldn't get the 2016 Transcript on the IRS Site so we printed out the payment sent to te IRS receipt and included the 1040 etc...

 

It was a lot of pages of photos, credit cards bills from a few months through the 2 years etc...

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

1 minute ago, CookieCat said:

You said "It should also be noted that when submitting a joint return from a sponsor the w2 is still requested or will be rfe'd." I'm trying to correct you in saying that absolutely nothing is required of the sponsor. If at all the couple submits their W2s which is not necessary but doesn't hurt, then the spouses would only submit their own W2s.

I'm sorry but you're confusing the ROC with AOS-related finance docs. This process is very different.

As I said, in this case (ROC) it will purely be a part of the return, noting the correction that the OP is in ROC stage. I'm aware of the different processes. Thank you for noting.

[Sukie 1,460]

20 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

Nowhere does it say they prefer transcripts although this is commonly said here on VJ. A return verified to be accepted from a efiling software shows the same thing. 

Many of us cannot e-file in the first year because of SSNs.  Whatever works for you.

 

Sukie in NY

[sy1983 31]

For my packet, I used black binder clips to put them together in the same order with the table of content/check list. I would not

advise using two hole punch, it might mess up the documents and it will take time for them to pull the pages apart. 

Dont forget to put N/A in all blank spaces to avoid RFE. 

 

Taxes, w2 for the past three years, federal tax return, pay checks, employment letter. 

[Derwood 203]

Definitely send tax transcripts. As Susie said they come in the mail very quickly. Tax returns show what taxes you might file. Tax transcripts show what taxes you have filed. Big difference.

[DILAW 94]

17 hours ago, Sukie said:

Either way (tax return or transcript) is OK.  But just to be clear - they PREFER transcripts, as it shows what is actually on file with the IRS.  You could have filled out your tax return and never mailed it.  The transcript proves it.

 

I ordered tax transcripts via mail on a Friday, and they were in my hands the next Thursday.  It's a miracle.

 

Sukie in NY

I ordered my tax transcripts on Thursday and Monday was a federal holiday right.  Today is Tuesday and I see on the USPS mail delivery notifications that I am getting them today.  That's a miracle.  And I ordered 6 transcripts (2 different transcripts for 3 years each).  I wish the USCIS can work as fast as the IRS