questions about I-864 (merged topics)

[Karim2018 100]

Guys,

 

In part 4 of I-864EZ, I understand that if I'm the USC Petitioner and sponsor of my wife (i.e. I'm the only one filling out I-864EZ), then 1.a should be 2. That's easy BUT what about 1.b (where it says "Your spouse") should it be ZERO (0), because I've already counted her in 1.a or should I put 1 there as well? I've been reading some old and conflicting posts in here. Some say leave it blank, others say put 1 in 1.b, but if I do, I would be counting my spouse twice, coz she's also the person I'm sponsoring on this I-864EZ, per 1.a. And to spice things up, I also pay alimony to my ex-wife, so where does that go? I don't think it goes in 1.e coz she's not listed as a "dependent" on my "most recent federal income tax return"! See the dilemma?!

 

Please advise...

 

Thank you!

 

-K

 

 

Edited January 1, 2019 by Karim2018

[geowrian 22,337]

Count each person only once. So if they are counted in 1.a, then they are not counted in 1.b onwards.

Edited January 1, 2019 by geowrian

[Karim2018 100]

16 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Count each person only once. So if they are counted in 1.a, then they are not counted in 1.b onwards.

Fair enough! What about the ex-wife situation? nowhere does it talk about alimony or ex-wife on the form or instructions, so what do we do there? Do I ignore it and not consider her a dependent? Thanks

 

Note: Alimony paid to ex-spouse is always shown on 1040 line 31a, so I don't think I'll be hiding anything if I ignore the ex-wife in part4 and not consider her a dependent.

Edited January 1, 2019 by Karim2018

[geowrian 22,337]

8 minutes ago, Karim2018 said:

Fair enough! What about the ex-wife situation? nowhere does it talk about alimony or ex-wife on the form or instructions, so what do we do there? Do I ignore it and not consider her a dependent? Thanks

 

Note: Alimony paid to ex-spouse is always shown on 1040 line 31a, so I don't think I'll be hiding anything if I ignore the ex-wife in part4.

She's not part of your household and it doesn't need to be noted anywhere on the I-864EZ.

[Karim2018 100]

15 minutes ago, geowrian said:

She's not part of your household and it doesn't need to be noted anywhere on the I-864EZ.

Thank you for your prompt response! Also after a closer look, I realized that in Part 5, they're asking for the AGI (Adjusted Gross Income), which definitely takes into account any alimony you may have paid during a given year. So to illustrate for other VJ'ers, if someone made $25K in 2018 and paid $5K in alimony to their ex, then their AGI is $20K, which indirectly means that the ex-spouse's alimony had already been factored-in in the AGI, and she/he need not be included as a dependent in any section of Part 4. Thanks again geowrian!

Edited January 1, 2019 by Karim2018

[pushbrk 12,898]

2 hours ago, Karim2018 said:

Thank you for your prompt response! Also after a closer look, I realized that in Part 5, they're asking for the AGI (Adjusted Gross Income), which definitely takes into account any alimony you may have paid during a given year. So to illustrate for other VJ'ers, if someone made $25K in 2018 and paid $5K in alimony to their ex, then their AGI is $20K, which indirectly means that the ex-spouse's alimony had already been factored-in in the AGI, and she/he need not be included as a dependent in any section of Part 4. Thanks again geowrian!

Adjusted gross income is only used if you file a 1040EZ.  If you file 1040, use "gross income" from line 22.  The numbers might be the same, but still use line 22 if a 1040 is filed.  Either way, your former spouse is not part of your household size unless you sponsored her from another country and she has a green card.

[Karim2018 100]

20 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

Adjusted gross income is only used if you file a 1040EZ.  If you file 1040, use "gross income" from line 22.  The numbers might be the same, but still use line 22 if a 1040 is filed.  Either way, your former spouse is not part of your household size unless you sponsored her from another country and she has a green card.

I just realized that I should use line 22 on my 1040, after reading a similar thread! Thank you for clarifying it pushbrk! On a separate note, I had sponsored my niece few years back, and she's now a USC. I don't intend to include her as dependent or part of my household, of course, but for full disclosure, should I use the "additional information" page to state all the persons I had sponsored (who are still green card holders) and to mention that I've sponsored my niece and that she became a USC?  This way the math adds-up, if they check and see how many peeps I had sponsored? Thanks

Edited January 1, 2019 by Karim2018

[pushbrk 12,898]

6 minutes ago, Karim2018 said:

I just realized that I should use line 22 on my 1040, after reading a similar thread! Thank you for clarifying it pushbrk! On a separate note, I had sponsored my niece few years back, and she's now a USC. I don't intend to include her as dependent or part of my household, of course, but for full disclosure, should I use the "additional information" page to state all the persons I had sponsored (who are still green card holders) and to mention that I've sponsored my niece and that she became a USC?  This way the math adds-up, if they check and see how many peeps I had sponsored? Thanks

Just answer the questions that are actually asked.  If she's a citizen, it's irrelevant now.  Do you see some question where mentioning her is needed?

 

[Karim2018 100]

59 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

Just answer the questions that are actually asked.  If she's a citizen, it's irrelevant now.  Do you see some question where mentioning her is needed?

 

No I do not. Thanks

[Karim2018 100]

Hey Guys, @NVC stage waiting for them to confirm receipt of our file and was wondering if form I-864 can be filled online or should it be done offline, scan and upload, then send original to beneficiary , as she may be asked to show original at consulate/interview? Thanks

[JeanneAdil 6,511]

you will receive a bill for the I 864 and ds 260

when the site says the payment is received and paid,  you will have instructions to fill out the form online

your spouse will do the ds 260 online 

Casa may ask for the original /sometimes do/ sometimes don't

but be prepared and send her the original so you don't go into longer AP for needed documents

 

 

u did not put date of marriage on timeline but you sent CR1 in last december so assuming married in 2018 i hope you added her to your 2018 tax returns as Casa will expect to see this

 

[Karim2018 100]

3 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

you will receive a bill for the I 864 and ds 260

when the site says the payment is received and paid,  you will have instructions to fill out the form online

your spouse will do the ds 260 online 

Casa may ask for the original /sometimes do/ sometimes don't

but be prepared and send her the original so you don't go into longer AP for needed documents

 

 

u did not put date of marriage on timeline but you sent CR1 in last december so assuming married in 2018 i hope you added her to your 2018 tax returns as Casa will expect to see this

 

Thanks M8! So if I file it online, I should print it before clicking on submit, so I can send her a copy of the original... Right? I filed my taxes as MFS, so yes her name is on my 2018 taxes. Cheers!

[JeanneAdil 6,511]

12 minutes ago, Karim2018 said:

Thanks M8! So if I file it online, I should print it before clicking on submit, so I can send her a copy of the original... Right? I filed my taxes as MFS, so yes her name is on my 2018 taxes. Cheers!

yes,  print it out before you submit it and send it to her with IRS transcript of the 2018 ( 2019 if interview after april 15th  2020)

be sure you keep a copy for your records

incha allah you will have success

[Karim2018 100]

10 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

yes,  print it out before you submit it and send it to her with IRS transcript of the 2018 ( 2019 if interview after april 15th  2020)

be sure you keep a copy for your records

incha allah you will have success

Thanks!

[Karim2018 100]

I'm trying to be proactive here so I downloaded the I-864EZ form and started to fill it out... I came across question #4 "Current Individual Annual Income" and I'm not sure what put in there since the "current year" 2019 isn't over yet, and my income consists of base salary + commission. My commission check varies every month, so one approach I thought about, was to compute Jan-Aug total commission, divide that by 8 to get the average monthly commission for the past 8 months, then use that average # to compute my "projected" annual commission to which I will then add my annual base salary. And of course, if need be, I can back this up by sending copies of my last 3 (or even 8-months) pay stubs... Is that acceptable? Your input is appreciated. Thanks.

Edited August 16, 2019 by Karim2018