Does current projected income from self-employment jobs like Instacart count for sponsorship income requirement?

[Mrsjackson 300]

2 minutes ago, geowrian said:

I think the income requirements are treated the same whether you are self-employed, use investment income, or have a 9-5 day job. The only practical difference, IMO, is how you show that you meet your stated income level.

Some may disagree, and that's fine.

I agree

[David & Diana R 1,005]

22 hours ago, proudbruin93 said:

I'm a USC married to an intending immigrant. In 2017, I made $14,500 from Instacart & Airbnb (earned $21k, but gross taxable income ended lower due to deductions). 

My current projected 2018 earnings is $18k (up to $20k) through Instacart. My wife and I also have $15k in cash savings. I can make up the difference & more from the minimum sponsorship income of $20,575 via our assets in liquid cash savings (3x the $2,575 difference assuming $18k income = min. $7,725 in assets needed). With $15k assets, my $18k income becomes $23k, above 125% of the min. poverty income. There's no paystub evidence, but I have bank transaction evidence + screenshots from my Instacart account to prove the income. I can also submit evidence of quarterly tax payment for 2018. 

Our attorney says I won't qualify as a sponsor due to my filed 2017 gross income not meeting $20,575. However, the guidelines state that "during the initial evidence review, USCIS shall as a general rule determine the sufficiency of a Form I-864 based on the sponsor’s reasonably anticipated household income for the year in which the sponsor signed the Form I-864." 

See: https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/AFM/HTML/AFM/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-2872/0-0-0-3055.html 

 

So what's the verdict here? Thanks!

If the official has read any recent reports/reviews about InstaCart they will know that the 15.00 per hour pay guarantee has been done away with.  The majority of reviews I see on the internet is negative and InstaCart "employees" are dropping out as fast as they can find a "real job" that pays an hourly wage and includes benefits.  If the official reviewing your paperwork doesn't know this I would be surprised. 

[proudbruin93 0]

32 minutes ago, David & Zoila said:

If the official has read any recent reports/reviews about InstaCart they will know that the 15.00 per hour pay guarantee has been done away with.  The majority of reviews I see on the internet is negative and InstaCart "employees" are dropping out as fast as they can find a "real job" that pays an hourly wage and includes benefits.  If the official reviewing your paperwork doesn't know this I would be surprised. 

That shouldn't matter... I have evidence that I easily avg $17/$18 an hour -- as high as $25 from Instacart. Consistently. You can't really argue against numbers, right? Instacart also just improved their tip system. They're getting partnerships with more stores all the time. The delivery space is more competitive (thus more in demand) than ever before.  

[David & Diana R 1,005]

33 minutes ago, proudbruin93 said:

That shouldn't matter... I have evidence that I easily avg $17/$18 an hour -- as high as $25 from Instacart. Consistently. You can't really argue against numbers, right? Instacart also just improved their tip system. They're getting partnerships with more stores all the time. The delivery space is more competitive (thus more in demand) than ever before.  

So if you are making 17 to 18 dollars per hour your annual salary should be in the area of: Let's average it out at 17.50 per hour.  Your annual income would then be 17.50 x 40 x 52 =  36,400.  How do explain the low income reported as compared to what you say you are making?     But wait...you say you make 25 dollars an hour from InstaCart.  That equals an annual income of  25.00 x 40 x 52= $52,000.  Something just doesn't add up here.  And that's exactly what the official reviewing your documents is going to say.  I am not being argumentative here.  I am simply using your numbers.  They don't add up the same as your earlier stated income.  This will almost certainly be a problem for you.  Good luck and God Speed.

[proudbruin93 0]

3 minutes ago, David & Zoila said:

So if you are making 17 to 18 dollars per hour your annual salary should be in the area of: Let's average it out at 17.50 per hour.  Your annual income would then be 17.50 x 40 x 52 =  36,400.  How do explain the low income reported as compared to what you say you are making?     But wait...you say you make 25 dollars an hour from InstaCart.  That equals an annual income of  25.00 x 40 x 52= $52,000.  Something just doesn't add up here.  And that's exactly what the official reviewing your documents is going to say.  I am not being argumentative here.  I am simply using your numbers.  They don't add up the same as your earlier stated income.  This will almost certainly be a problem for you.  Good luck and God Speed.

Appreciate your honest thoughts! It doesn't add up for you because I didn't provide full context, which is my fault! I currently work for Instacart part-time. My full-time job is cofounder of an early stage startup where we're not currently paying ourselves pending a funding round. In 2017, my income was a mix of Instacart and Airbnb, but mostly from Airbnb. My 2017 total income (line 22) was also $15,740 not $14,500 (accidentally posted NGI, which I learned is NOT what they look at) & it seems like my $15-20k in liquid cash assets can make up for the difference. So far this year, I'm not doing Airbnb anymore and am solely doing Instacart - putting in an average of 20 hrs a week. The $25/hour is "up to" - I said my average hourly earning is $17-$18