November 2018 AOS Filers

[S_And_J 7]

5 minutes ago, JMCKNG said:

So, if my husband has a Savings Account that is over $10,000 from his home country he has to inform the US that he has that bank Account? I wasn't aware of this or don't see the relevance of why the government here needs to know those types of things. 

That is correct.

 

In fact, as he has $10,000 in that savings account in the foreign country, he must also declare all other foreign accounts as your aggregate (total amount) across your bank accounts will be above $10,000. As far as I'm aware that's how it works... for example. Account A has $9,000 and Account B has $2,000, and Account C has $250 = you must declare all (A, B, C) accounts under the FBAR form.

 

For currency exchange rates, instructions for the FBAR say to use the Treasury's currency rate for December 31st 2018 (last day of the financial year).

 

EDIT: Don't be worried though! the form is extremely easy to fill out and should not take you long at all to do. 

Edited March 13, 2019 by S_And_J

[Pengunista 221]

@jakejon no I didn’t expedite. I sent my AOS Nov 6. They got it Nov 9. I had my first biometrics Dec 4. Then I had to redo it, which I did Jan 4. And I got the update today. So, I’m hoping that everyone’s update would start rolling in. And hopefully everyone gets their EAD/AP this month. 

[JMCKNG 156]

6 minutes ago, S_And_J said:

That is correct.

 

In fact, as he has $10,000 in that savings account in the foreign country, he must also declare all other foreign accounts as your aggregate (total amount) across your bank accounts will be above $10,000. As far as I'm aware that's how it works... for example. Account A has $9,000 and Account B has $2,000, and Account C has $250 = you must declare all (A, B, C) accounts under the FBAR form.

 

For currency exchange rates, instructions for the FBAR say to use the Treasury's currency rate for December 31st 2018 (last day of the financial year).

 

EDIT: Don't be worried though! the form is extremely easy to fill out and should not take you long at all to do. 

Interesting, thanks for the info! After looking on VJ I found this forum:

My husband does not meet the presence requirement of 183 days to be considered a US Person from the past 3 years so I believe we can bypass it if accurate. 

 

[S_And_J 7]

12 minutes ago, JMCKNG said:

Interesting, thanks for the info! After looking on VJ I found this forum:

My husband does not meet the presence requirement of 183 days to be considered a US Person from the past 3 years so I believe we can bypass it if accurate. 

 

To confirm, are you electing to be treated as a U.S Resident For Tax Purposes when filing with the IRS / Are you filing your taxes as Married Filing Jointly (MFJ)?

 

The initial commenter infers that they may have found a 'loophole.' Personally, I wouldn't want to rely on that as, when filing a Joint tax return, Form 1040 Schedule B - Part 3 'Foreign Accounts and Trusts' requires you to confirm your requirement to file or not file a FBAR.

 

Honestly, it's really not as scary as it sounds. You're asked your personal information and basic information about your foreign account. If your husband has very complex foreign accounts/financial interests then it may be best to contact a tax professional (of which I am not). 

 

EDIT: Here's some more information: https://www.fincen.gov/sites/default/files/shared/FBAR Line Item Filing Instructions.pdf

Edited March 13, 2019 by S_And_J

[WalWal 10]

17 minutes ago, jakejon said:

 

Congrats to both of you!

 

Just curious if you guys were expedites? I'm seriously confused on where USCIS is with their processing as dates keep jumping from Sept-Nov LOL...

I didn’t expedite. Their processing was getting me depressed tbh because they keep jumping. I believe that November has started and standard cases (No REF, criminal record) should be processed soon

[K1visaHopeful 2,817]

1 hour ago, JMCKNG said:

So, if my husband has a Savings Account that is over $10,000 from his home country he has to inform the US that he has that bank Account? I wasn't aware of this or don't see the relevance of why the government here needs to know those types of things. 

It's to prevent US taxpayers from hiding money that could be taxed in overseas accounts.

 

Have you ever heard when TV shows talk about offshore Swiss or Cayman bank accounts?

Those countries dont have a disclosure agreement (or didnt until recently, I'm not sure if that has changed) with the US so ppl often hide money that could be taxed. 

I lived in the Caymans so I know allllllll about it. 

[RambaCat 643]

Aaaahhhh more combo approvals! I can't help but get my hopes up now even though I probably shouldn't. 😂

 

 

[jakejon 1,197]

7 minutes ago, RambaCat said:

Aaaahhhh more combo approvals! I can't help but get my hopes up now even though I probably shouldn't. 😂

 

 

I just don't get how the NBC is currently approving. My received date is 11/23 and there was a case (4 above my number) on the old site app check that got approved today. I just shrug my shoulders and wander their approach LOL 

Edited March 13, 2019 by jakejon

[Pengunista 221]

You’ll never know! I also wasn’t expecting it, but I did told myself this morning that it’s a good day to get a text regarding an update. And by lunch time I got a text update. 😁

[RambaCat 643]

4 minutes ago, jakejon said:

I just don't get how the NBC is currently approving. My received date is 11/23 and there was a case (4 above my number) on the old site app check that got approved today. I just shrug my shoulders and wander their approach LOL 

I wonder too! I think Walwal is pretty much the same date frame as me so I'm like, checking constantly just in case...

3 minutes ago, Pengunista said:

You’ll never know! I also wasn’t expecting it, but I did told myself this morning that it’s a good day to get a text regarding an update. And by lunch time I got a text update. 😁

I had a good feeling about this week! I don't know if it means I'll get approved for anything mind you, but it definitely feels good seeing some fellow November filers getting updates at last. Now to hope everyone else follows quickly after

[jakejon 1,197]

I remember with the K1, the old app never updated my approval ever, it just came on the New Site. But seems old app is more updated for combo cards. Really hoping we see more approvals coming very soon! I hope I'm not the only one going out of my mind waiting for it  

[RambaCat 643]

1 minute ago, jakejon said:

I remember with the K1, the old app never updated my approval ever, it just came on the New Site. But seems old app is more updated for combo cards. Really hoping we see more approvals coming very soon! I hope I'm not the only one going out of my mind waiting for it  

Hahaha - I literally just checked the new site just in case. It's a bit of a pain, though, because of two step verification so half the time I forget about it...

 

I'm going a bit loopy waiting for it too! To be honest, as with the K1, it's worse now that people are getting approvals, I think. I'm also a bit worried I'll get my EAD approved tomorrow, and then have to refile my taxes because it includes an application for an ITIN but I might get my SSN in the middle of that application.

 

One thing is definitely abundantly clear. There are too many acronyms!!!!!!

[Pengunista 221]

1 minute ago, jakejon said:

I remember with the K1, the old app never updated my approval ever, it just came on the New Site. But seems old app is more updated for combo cards. Really hoping we see more approvals coming very soon! I hope I'm not the only one going out of my mind waiting for it  

Hahahahah I think we all did when March came and still nothing. Everyday I would check if anyone got an update regarding EAD/AP. Every notification I get I was hoping someone would say that their combo card is on its way. 

[RambaCat 643]

On the plus side, our tax return looks pretty nice - my husband has promised to get me a decent phone and monthly deal as soon as it comes in! I'm still using my British phone for things!!

[jakejon 1,197]

Oh I love this thread!! Keeps me cheered up to be able to reach out to others going through this wait. Now, I've remembered I can do searches on the old app I'll probably be maxed out by lunch time most days now constantly looking! Nothing beats that feeling of seeing a case approved near your case number for sure!! #Hope ❤️