Filling out N-400, got stuck on a Tax Filing Question.

[ohman 5]

38 minutes ago, CTgal18 said:

But your opinion or mine is not what matters, the LAW is what matters. And you are not breaking or even bending the law if you don’t file taxes when you are not required. The IRS lays it out plain and simple who is required to file taxes and who is not. Those laws and requirements are all that matters.

 

And your argument of legitimacy and chances of approval argument is clearly incorrect as I was approved on the spot and will be naturalized Thursday. 

That last point you made I think could vary though. I do admit though I did think it was required when doing an n400. What you say makes sense as a 95 year old for example could file an n400 and of course he would not be required to work to be successful, but I would personally still think he should file his taxes to better his chances. 

[Calicolom 266]

1 hour ago, CTgal18 said:

Well it’s guess you should go have a conversation with my immigration officer who approved me on the spot even after not having filed for 5 years while I was in school and not making income. He didn’t even blink an eye. But I guess you must know better than him. 

Wait until no filing taxes catches up, then you will be on TV for getting deported, crying foul. 

[CTgal18 157]

2 minutes ago, Calicolom said:

Wait until no filing taxes catches up, then you will be on TV for getting deported, crying foul. 

Excuse me? I stated that I did not file taxes for 5 years when I was a student and had no income, therefore according to federal law, I was not required to file. So what exactly am I being deported for?

[CTgal18 157]

27 minutes ago, Calicolom said:

Wait until no filing taxes catches up, then you will be on TV for getting deported, crying foul. 

Show me where it says I broke any laws by not filing a tax return even though I had no income and I’ll take you seriously. Otherwise, I’m going to continue to go by the laws of the United States Internal Revenue Service. Thanks. 

[Summy87 0]

On 7/20/2018 at 10:07 PM, GreatDane said:

Were you married? Did your spouse file income taxes?

No, I wasn't back then. And i was unemployed, that is why I didn't file it. Now, I am confused if i should answer yes, or do I have to say no and give explanation.

[Summy87 0]

22 hours ago, Life_love said:

That's exactly the same situation i'm in. I didn't file 2013, i became a PR in June of that year and earned no income (husband filed separately).  Based on the info i got here i decide to file back taxes but tax service ppl (&irs ) said i had nothing to declare i am not legally required to file with no income/tax to report. Also couldn't ask my husband to amend his cos we are no longer together after almost 7 yrs..(married for 5 1/2....funny how lovers can become strangers   ...but that's another story). 

 

Well I contacted an immigrtion attorney that reassured me everything was fine and suggested i select "NO" with an explanation if it made me feel any better cos i was concerned about not disclosing it could be perceived as bad.  I have also read similar situations where people have ticked yes and that did not bring up any problems. 

 

So if youre like me and are worried about the category you fall in, in that question....selecting no with an explanation would suffice. 

 

 

Sorry about your marriage, this is how life works I guess  

 

Did your attorney said that it was ok to say yes and provide no explanation? What did you do anyways?

[Summy87 0]

21 hours ago, CTgal18 said:

 

This statement is inaccurate as there is actually criteria from the IRS on who needs to file a tax return. If everyone should be filing taxes every year, why would these criteria exist?? It is NOT a requirement for everyone to file taxes even if they make $0. I have been a permanent resident for 14 years and didn’t file for the first 5 years due to not working while in school. I was not required to file any of those years and I stated on my N400 application that I’ve always filed my taxes, which I have when I was required to. No red flags , no suspicion or issues during my naturalization process because I didn’t make any income and according to the federal government, I was not required to file. Do not claim that only people who don’t file taxes are “drug dealers” because that’s just not true. 

Thank you both for your valuable advice, but let's not fight please.

CTgal18, That's what I thought, that I don't have to file it since I wasn't working. What did you answer to that question anyways? Did you just left with yes, or provide explanation? Did they bring that up during the interview? 

[Life_love 45]

2 hours ago, Summy87 said:

Sorry about your marriage, this is how life works I guess  

 

Did your attorney said that it was ok to say yes and provide no explanation? What did you do anyways?

thank you!!

 

Yes he said it was ok but i was really worried and he said i could go ahead and say no with explanation. Either way it shouldn't be an issue since I really wasn't required to file taxes for that year. In my explanation i included the Interactive tax assistant from irs.gov explanation (see below) with the fact that i didnt become a PR until june of that year. I haven't done my interview yet but i just felt so much better in disclosing it. 

 

Hope this helps.....Good luck!!!!

 

Do I need to file a tax return?

You are not required to file a tax return for 2013

 

You are not required to file a tax return because your income does not equal or exceed $4,000, nor do you owe any special taxes or have any special situations that require you to file.

 

 

Edited July 22, 2018 by Life_love

[CTgal18 157]

6 hours ago, Summy87 said:

Thank you both for your valuable advice, but let's not fight please.

CTgal18, That's what I thought, that I don't have to file it since I wasn't working. What did you answer to that question anyways? Did you just left with yes, or provide explanation? Did they bring that up during the interview? 

I had written that I always filed taxes on the application because I thought it only applied to filing when you needed to file. But I did mention at the interview when going through the application that I hadn’t when I was a student because I didn’t have any income and he said that was not an issue because it wasn’t required and he did not change the answer on the application. So no he didn’t bring it up, I was the one who brought it up because I wanted to make sure I was being truthful about everything. 

[Summy87 0]

16 hours ago, CTgal18 said:

I had written that I always filed taxes on the application because I thought it only applied to filing when you needed to file. But I did mention at the interview when going through the application that I hadn’t when I was a student because I didn’t have any income and he said that was not an issue because it wasn’t required and he did not change the answer on the application. So no he didn’t bring it up, I was the one who brought it up because I wanted to make sure I was being truthful about everything. 

Got you. Thank you so much!

[Summy87 0]

21 hours ago, Life_love said:

thank you!!

 

Yes he said it was ok but i was really worried and he said i could go ahead and say no with explanation. Either way it shouldn't be an issue since I really wasn't required to file taxes for that year. In my explanation i included the Interactive tax assistant from irs.gov explanation (see below) with the fact that i didnt become a PR until june of that year. I haven't done my interview yet but i just felt so much better in disclosing it. 

 

Hope this helps.....Good luck!!!!

 

Do I need to file a tax return?

You are not required to file a tax return for 2013

 

You are not required to file a tax return because your income does not equal or exceed $4,000, nor do you owe any special taxes or have any special situations that require you to file.

 

 

Great, this is very helpful.

 

Thank you and good luck to you too!

[CarlHamilton 252]

On 7/21/2018 at 5:06 PM, ohman said:

 

 

Someone can correct me if I am wrong

You are wrong and you stand corrected. 

[ohman 5]

1 hour ago, shomer said:

You are wrong and you stand corrected. 

Yes, I was wrong about being compelled to file your taxes, which makes sense to me because some folks will not be working. 

 

However, take me for example. I did the n400 for my wife who does not really speak english. Do I want her to have to answer "no" when they ask her if all her taxes have been filed in an interview? No, I really do not think I want that. Do what you may, but I think it would be pretty silly of me to put her in that situation when it is si easy to file a tax return for someone who hasn't worked. 

 

Or, do I want her... again, a person who does not speak english and has never even seen a tax form, to answer "why did you not file your taxes". No, I do not personally think it is ideal to put her in a situation to answer that question, as opposed to no question at all. And as stated, I think no tax returns raises red flags. Someone can argue with me all they want, but that is my opinion. So, why not just file the back taxes. 

 

The gentleman I was discussing this with brought up his own interview as an example, which was useful. So I will bring up mine. My wife, a non english speaker, was in and out of her interview in 10 minutes. Interestingly, the one thing they asked her for at the end of the interview was what? Tax transcripts. So I suppose I did something right as well. 

 

File your back taxes if you can. It is easy, and you wont have to answer no to anyes question. 

[ohman 5]

On 7/21/2018 at 4:41 PM, CTgal18 said:

Excuse me? I stated that I did not file taxes for 5 years when I was a student and had no income, therefore according to federal law, I was not required to file. So what exactly am I being deported for?

You were not required to file, but it is advisable to file in my opinion.