I-34 forms and Tax Returns

[SocratesJohnson 6]

Hey guys,

 

We just received our NOA1, but I am starting to prepare for what comes next so that I don't overwhelm myself. I noticed that when I printed out the I-34 form via USCIS, it only asks for tax returns if you are self-employed; however, Nolo advises to send 1-3 years of returns. Is this for legal purposes, ie, you are paying your taxes properly, or to judge past income? I think I've stated here before that I was away from the states for nearly a year, and only began working again in March. My income level is comfortably above the 125% line, so I'm not stressing too much, but I was wondering, what were some of your stories/experiences with submitting documentation? Thanks!

[Peot 162]

This depends on the consulate / embassy. MOST want to see IRS forms even though (for some reason) it doesn't say this on the form instructions itself. You do often get a document from the embassy telling you to submit them for K-1 specifically. This can definitely be frustrating when using friends as a co-sponsor, because they don't believe that it's a requirement. I even had one co-sponsor contact a lawyer, and the lawyer said to absolutely NOT include the tax documents. However, at my interview, they DEFINITELY looked for them. They absolutely should add this to the back of the documentation!

 

You only need to provide the most recent tax year. 3 years is way overkill, outdated, and unnecessary.

 

They definitely will care more about your current employment. Last year I could make $1 and show that on my taxes, but if I got a job making well above the 125% this year, they'll want to know that. Like you thought, I think it has more to do with showing that they are "tax payers" rather than the info meeting the requirement. However, I also think that in most cases it can be easier to prove income of 125% on last year's taxes rather than having to show various employment letters, stubs, etc.. Both could be the case.

 

My experience was this: I went to the interview and submitted THREE I-134 forms. One from my fiance (not meeting the financial requirement) and two from friends of mine. One friend included tax documents and the other did not. When I got up to the interview window and handed the documents in, she right away noted that one of them did not have tax information. She did not look at this one when making her decision.

[SocratesJohnson 6]

33 minutes ago, Peot said:

This depends on the consulate / embassy. MOST want to see IRS forms even though (for some reason) it doesn't say this on the form instructions itself. You do often get a document from the embassy telling you to submit them for K-1 specifically. This can definitely be frustrating when using friends as a co-sponsor, because they don't believe that it's a requirement. I even had one co-sponsor contact a lawyer, and the lawyer said to absolutely NOT include the tax documents. However, at my interview, they DEFINITELY looked for them. They absolutely should add this to the back of the documentation!

 

You only need to provide the most recent tax year. 3 years is way overkill, outdated, and unnecessary.

 

They definitely will care more about your current employment. Last year I could make $1 and show that on my taxes, but if I got a job making well above the 125% this year, they'll want to know that. Like you thought, I think it has more to do with showing that they are "tax payers" rather than the info meeting the requirement. However, I also think that in most cases it can be easier to prove income of 125% on last year's taxes rather than having to show various employment letters, stubs, etc.. Both could be the case.

 

My experience was this: I went to the interview and submitted THREE I-134 forms. One from my fiance (not meeting the financial requirement) and two from friends of mine. One friend included tax documents and the other did not. When I got up to the interview window and handed the documents in, she right away noted that one of them did not have tax information. She did not look at this one when making her decision.

This is great to know, thank you! My taxes from 2016 won't be great, and I have no idea if my fiances interview will be scheduled before tax season, so I hope they will consider my pay stubs, letter of employment, etc. I spent May 2016-March 2017 in Europe with him, and regardless, I was only working part time and finishing up my (second) degree. I had to claim school credits for extra tax return, so I suppose they will consider the entire picture (I hope!) I considered getting a co-sponsor, but I really don't know that it's necessary because by the time the visa approval interview comes, I'll be at my job well over six months, and it is a permanent position that I've been working hard and doing well in. I'm confident my boss will write me a nice letter, she's so excited that I'm going through this process and has met my fiancé!