filing requirement question

[agrzybianek 34]

Hello, I am ready to apply for my citizenship this year and I have a quick question. one of the questions on the application states "have you ever not filed a federal state or local tax return since you became a permanent resident" I have only filed taxes for the past 3 years or so since previously I was a student who only made way below the IRS requirement to file taxes (according to their web site and our accountant) my question is:

do I need to check YES since i did not file? previously on the application they had the word "REQUIRED" but I see that now it's gone. 

If I have to check yes how do I prove it to the USCIS that I did not make enough money to meet the filing requirement? do I just need to attach a letter of me stating that? 

thank you for any help!
Adrian

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

1 minute ago, agrzybianek said:

Hello, I am ready to apply for my citizenship this year and I have a quick question. one of the questions on the application states "have you ever not filed a federal state or local tax return since you became a permanent resident" I have only filed taxes for the past 3 years or so since previously I was a student who only made way below the IRS requirement to file taxes (according to their web site and our accountant) my question is:

do I need to check YES since i did not file? previously on the application they had the word "REQUIRED" but I see that now it's gone. 

If I have to check yes how do I prove it to the USCIS that I did not make enough money to meet the filing requirement? do I just need to attach a letter of me stating that? 

thank you for any help!
Adrian

Were you a student on a student visa or were you a student as a GC holder? If the former then you tick no, if the latter then you tick yes. Yes you can attach a letter explaining and if you wish add evidence of the income you had (not required, but for peace of mind). There is also the option of getting a letter for non-filing from the IRS website if you are able to.

[agrzybianek 34]

Just now, Suss&Camm said:

Were you a student on a student visa or were you a student as a GC holder? If the former then you tick no, if the latter then you tick yes. Yes you can attach a letter explaining and if you wish add evidence of the income you had (not required, but for peace of mind). There is also the option of getting a letter for non-filing from the IRS website if you are able to.

Hello, thanks for your reply. No I was not on a student visa. We were here with our green cards that we got through family sponsorship.

do you know if that letter I can get from the IRS will say that I was not required to file because of my small income or will it just say which years I have filed for?

 Thanks!

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

11 minutes ago, agrzybianek said:

Hello, thanks for your reply. No I was not on a student visa. We were here with our green cards that we got through family sponsorship.

do you know if that letter I can get from the IRS will say that I was not required to file because of my small income or will it just say which years I have filed for?

 Thanks!

It will just say that you didn't file - it's to show that you aren't trying to hide anything from uscis. If you want to you can also request a wage and income transcript that shows all the information that was sent to the irs from other parties about your income. Again, an explanation letter is also fine. 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-return-transcript-types-and-ways-to-order-them

• Wage and Income Transcript - shows data from information returns we receive such as Forms W-2, 1099, 1098 and Form 5498, IRA Contribution Information. Current tax year information may not be complete until July. This transcript is available for up to 10 prior years using Get Transcript Online or Form 4506-T.
• Verification of Non-filing Letter - provides proof that the IRS has no record of a filed Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ for the year you requested. It doesn't indicate whether you were required to file a return for that year. This letter is available after June 15 for the current tax year or anytime for the prior three tax years using Get Transcript Online or Form 4506-T. You must use Form 4506-T if you need a letter for tax years older than the prior three years

Edited June 1, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[agrzybianek 34]

Just now, Suss&Camm said:

It will just say that you didn't file - it's to show that you aren't trying to hide anything from uscis. If you want to you fall also request a wage and income transcript that shows all the information that was sent to the irs from other parties about your income. Again, an explanation letter is also fine. 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-return-transcript-types-and-ways-to-order-them

• Wage and Income Transcript - shows data from information returns we receive such as Forms W-2, 1099, 1098 and Form 5498, IRA Contribution Information. Current tax year information may not be complete until July. This transcript is available for up to 10 prior years using Get Transcript Online or Form 4506-T.
• Verification of Non-filing Letter - provides proof that the IRS has no record of a filed Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ for the year you requested. It doesn't indicate whether you were required to file a return for that year. This letter is available after June 15 for the current tax year or anytime for the prior three tax years using Get Transcript Online or Form 4506-T. You must use Form 4506-T if you need a letter for tax years older than the prior three years

thank you, that makes me feel a bit relieved. I got really scared when I noticed that they removed the REQUIRED part from the application. I think I will request the irs paperwork to really prove it to the USCIS that im not hiding anything. the more proof I have the better I think.

OH before i forget, with my application all I need to include is the check and my letter of explanation correct? to the interview itself I need to bring my tax forms and other paperwork?

Edited June 1, 2017 by agrzybianek

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

3 minutes ago, agrzybianek said:

thank you, that makes me feel a bit relieved. I got really scared when I noticed that they removed the REQUIRED part from the application.

OH before i forget, with my application all I need to include is the check and my letter of explanation correct? to the interview itself I need to bring my tax forms and other paperwork?

Here is the N-400 checklist for you:

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/article/attachments.pdf

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

You bring the originals to the interview

[agrzybianek 34]

Just now, Suss&Camm said:

You bring the originals to the interview

gotcha, the letter(s) of explanation I mail in with my application, correct?