Expat Overseas, need Tax Return for form I-864?

[spacetofu 8]

Hi all, 
So I am filling out the Affidavit of Support as the petitioner and am sponsoring my husband for the CR-1 visa. Since I do not meet the required income requirement (I've been on maternity leave in Sweden and get government assistance), my uncle has agreed and filled out the form as a joint sponsor. His income does meet the requirements. Yay!
However, in the form I am filling out, it asks for a tax return from the previous year for me. Since I have lived overseas, I mailed in and filed all my taxes for the last 3 years about 1.5 years ago. I submitted 2016 taxes in August 2017. When I logged into the IRS website, I couldn't find my transcripts. I called the IRS a few days ago and they said they didn't have any of my taxes from the last 4 years in their system yet... I know they received them as I sent them tracked with certification. 
Anyway, I have a copy I made of the 2016 tax return I mailed them. Is it possible I can use this? The income I made in Sweden was less than $2000, so that is what I put on the taxes, and I am aware I do not meet the income requirements no matter what I do. But is it absolutely necessary to supply this transcript or copy of a return with the form if my income is insufficient? And if the IRS can't find the transcripts or returns or have not added them yet, what can I do? I have not submitted my 2017 taxes yet as I have not finished my Swedish taxes yet, I filed the extension. 
Any help would be appreciated. I know I should call the NVC, though I figured I would ask here so I don't clog up their phone line, haha. Thanks!! 
 

[Liam2021 583]

Your income under requirement for tax filing, so just included a letter explain why you not file tax when you submit documents to NVC. That all.

[fdhs 9]

It says in the instructions for the I-864 that your tax returns for the most recent tax year (which would be 2017) are required: 

Quote

You must provide either an Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) transcript or a photocopy from your own records of your Federal individual income tax return for the most
recent tax year. If you believe additional returns may help you to establish your ability to maintain sufficient income, you
may submit transcripts or photocopies of your Federal individual income tax returns for the three most recent years.
You are not required to have the IRS certify the transcript or photocopy unless specifically instructed to do so by a
Government official; a plain transcript or photocopy is acceptable.
 

If at all possible, I'd suggest doing your 2017 taxes and just making a copy to file with the I-864.

[pushbrk 12,881]

8 hours ago, fdhs said:

It says in the instructions for the I-864 that your tax returns for the most recent tax year (which would be 2017) are required: 

If at all possible, I'd suggest doing your 2017 taxes and just making a copy to file with the I-864.

That will work, if actually required to file.  If income is below the filing threshold, simply hand write in the available space, "Not required to file. Income below threshold."  Works every time it is tried.