Sydney Consulate no longer accepting 1040 tax returns as supporting document

[Michael_123 0]

Hi all,

 

I was thrilled to finally received my interview date email the other day for my spouse-sponsored green card (CR-1) at the Consulate General in Sydney. I got an automated email from the Consulate today with general info about preparing for the interview, but the email also had a message at the top in a bright header reading:

 

The 1040 US Tax Return will no longer be acceptable for your application.

Applicants who are required to submit a US tax return with their application are now required to submit the US Tax Transcript.

The  IRS generated transcript can be obtained for free from the IRS website by filing IRS Form 4506-T Request for Transcript of Tax Return.

 

I'm being told this 3 weeks before my interview, even though the NVC accepted our joint 1040 tax return as supporting financial evidence (the option was to submit EITHER the tax return+W2 form OR a transcript). The IRS hasn't processed our tax return yet (it's going to take a while given the backlog and because we had to apply for and ITIN simultaneously) and so it's impossible to get the tax transcript for at least a couple more months.

 

Has anyone else been in a similar position? Can they really change the required documentation rules just before the interview and after the NVC has given the all clear? I've emailed the consulate but I'm expecting their usual generic replies.

 

Thanks!

[Dashinka 24,493]

Not sure if they can change required documentation just like that, but in your situation, I would try to get the transcripts from 2017, 2016 and 2015 and take a copy of the 1040 and W2s from 2018 explaining that the 2018 transcripts are not available yet.

 

Good Luck!

[Michael_123 0]

1 hour ago, Bill & Katya said:

Not sure if they can change required documentation just like that, but in your situation, I would try to get the transcripts from 2017, 2016 and 2015 and take a copy of the 1040 and W2s from 2018 explaining that the 2018 transcripts are not available yet.

 

Good Luck!

Thanks, yeah we'll do that. Problem is my husband was a med student until mid 2018, so his previous transcripts will show $0. Guess I'll just have to see.

[Lil bear 4,201]

14 minutes ago, Michael_123 said:

Thanks, yeah we'll do that. Problem is my husband was a med student until mid 2018, so his previous transcripts will show $0. Guess I'll just have to see.

You have no options other than following their directions 😞

1040 forms can be filled out but not filed.. transcripts from the IRS are better evidence of filing. Consulates have the final say in what they accept , require. NVC is more the  gathering house for paperwork.

Assuming you are also using joint sponsor documents for the AOS, your husbands income .. past and present ... is not an issue 

 

[Dashinka 24,493]

35 minutes ago, Michael_123 said:

Thanks, yeah we'll do that. Problem is my husband was a med student until mid 2018, so his previous transcripts will show $0. Guess I'll just have to see.

Well, you can only give them what you have.

 

Good Luck!

[aaron2020 11,651]

This change is new.  There have been a few reports that some embassies are requiring tax transcripts and no longer accepting the 1040.  

 

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

Tax returns are subject to manipulation, and could be generated without the returns being actually filed. Tax transcripts, otoh, are direct from the horse's mouth, so to speak. US embassies may be on the path to require transcripts, which are proof the returns were actually filed with the IRS, and thus more official. 

[jgub 10]

I will be in the same situation- i submitted tax returns to the NVC. Let us know what happens. Can i ask when your interview is and date of case complete?

[aaron2020 11,651]

[Michael_123 0]

2 hours ago, jgub said:

I will be in the same situation- i submitted tax returns to the NVC. Let us know what happens. Can i ask when your interview is and date of case complete?

My case complete date was March 16. Interview scheduled in Sydney for May 7. When is your interview?

 

44 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

Was this email received before notification of case complete status from the NVC? It'd be unusual for the consulate to request documents to be uploaded to CEAC after case complete.

[jgub 10]

i am still waiting for an interview to date. CC 13/4. hopefully soon. i guess ill start collecting transcripts- my husband ordered them but they took a few weeks to come. 

[alannah_rose 39]

My sister in law has her interview the same date as you and she got the same email. Our issue is that our husbands are here in Australia with us, so we are unable to download the transcripts from the website, so have had to request them via snail mail. Hoping they arrive before the interview!!

[Michael_123 0]

Just now, alannah_rose said:

My sister in law has her interview the same date as you and she got the same email. Our issue is that our husbands are here in Australia with us, so we are unable to download the transcripts from the website, so have had to request them via snail mail. Hoping they arrive before the interview!!

Is your 2018 transcript available already? I have previous years, but 2018 one hasn't been processed yet.

[alannah_rose 39]

 

1 minute ago, Michael_123 said:

Is your 2018 transcript available already? I have previous years, but 2018 one hasn't been processed yet.

We haven't done the 2018 tax yet as the Aussie tax year runs June to July, so once we get our Aussie tax return, we will do that.

Edited May 1, 2019 by alannah_rose

[Michael_123 0]

1 minute ago, alannah_rose said:

 

We haven't done the 2018 tax yet as the Aussie tax year runs June to July, so once we get our Aussie tax return, we will do that.

Ah ok so you must have applied for an extension with the IRS since the normal due date was April? I wish we'd done that since they accept evidence of an extension in place of a tax transcript.