N400: Have you NEVER/EVER not filed taxes since becoming a permanene resident?

[Prettygal1221 9]

Hi I became an LPR on October 2015. I did not work until February 2016. I filed income taxes for 2016, 2017, and 2018 as I was employed. Beginning September 2018 - present, I am a full time graduate student. I filed my N-400 application in July 2020 and answered "NO" to the question asking if I have never not filed taxes since becoming an LPR. I've been reading forums and it seems like I should have probably answered "YES" and stated my reasons for non-filing. Since I already submitted the form, what should I do? Will this be a problem? Thanks in advance for your responses!

[Dashinka 24,493]

1 hour ago, Prettygal1221 said:

Hi I became an LPR on October 2015. I did not work until February 2016. I filed income taxes for 2016, 2017, and 2018 as I was employed. Beginning September 2018 - present, I am a full time graduate student. I filed my N-400 application in July 2020 and answered "NO" to the question asking if I have never not filed taxes since becoming an LPR. I've been reading forums and it seems like I should have probably answered "YES" and stated my reasons for non-filing. Since I already submitted the form, what should I do? Will this be a problem? Thanks in advance for your responses!

You should have the opportunity to make any form corrections at the time of the interview.  I would put together all the evidence regarding you tax filing history so you have it when the interview time comes.

 

Good Luck!

[jxn 86]

Also following this for a friend. Is the idea to simply check "Yes" and explain that one was below the income threshold, or check No because one was not required to file for that same reason? Just trying to get a handle on the logic. Thanks!

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, jxn said:

Also following this for a friend. Is the idea to simply check "Yes" and explain that one was below the income threshold, or check No because one was not required to file for that same reason? Just trying to get a handle on the logic. Thanks!

Rule is that should always answer the actual question asked. It doesn’t ask if you have filed every time you were required to file - it asks if you have ever not filed. So the answer is yes, and reason is not required to file because of income.

[Prettygal1221 9]

7 hours ago, Dashinka said:

You should have the opportunity to make any form corrections at the time of the interview.  I would put together all the evidence regarding you tax filing history so you have it when the interview time comes.

 

Good Luck!

Thank you so much for your response! I do have IRS tax transcripts from 2016, 2017, and 2018. Is that all I need or should I file taxes for 2015 and 2019 anyway?

[Prettygal1221 9]

10 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Rule is that should always answer the actual question asked. It doesn’t ask if you have filed every time you were required to file - it asks if you have ever not filed. So the answer is yes, and reason is not required to file because of income.

Got it! Thanks! So because I made a mistake and have now filed the N400, how do I rectify this situation? The poster above said to prepare tax filing history which I do have for 2016, 2017, and 2018. Do I back file for 2015 and 2019? Any advice?

[Prettygal1221 9]

1 hour ago, jxn said:

Also following this for a friend. Is the idea to simply check "Yes" and explain that one was below the income threshold, or check No because one was not required to file for that same reason? Just trying to get a handle on the logic. Thanks!

Has your friend filed already? I'm so worried because I already submitted my N-400. Good luck!!

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, Prettygal1221 said:

Got it! Thanks! So because I made a mistake and have now filed the N400, how do I rectify this situation? The poster above said to prepare tax filing history which I do have for 2016, 2017, and 2018. Do I back file for 2015 and 2019? Any advice?

Just correct it in the interview. They understand that people misunderstand the questions sometimes! If you didn’t need to submit returns for the years you didn’t submit, I wouldn’t bother backfilling, if you were employed you may want to take a payslip showing income was below filing level, or if you are listed as unemployed or student or whatever for those years just mention that.

[Prettygal1221 9]

7 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Just correct it in the interview. They understand that people misunderstand the questions sometimes! If you didn’t need to submit returns for the years you didn’t submit, I wouldn’t bother backfilling, if you were employed you may want to take a payslip showing income was below filing level, or if you are listed as unemployed or student or whatever for those years just mention that.

In 2015, I was claimed as a dependent on my father's income tax return and I made no money that year since I arrived as an LPR on October 2015 . That should be sufficient evidence for the 2015 tax year right? Do I have to bring a copy of his tax form? For 2019, I can still file now and what I have is the form 1098 - T which is from my school indicating that the excess amount of scholarships that I'm apparently supposed to declare as income is $11,305 which is still less than 2019' standard deduction of $12,200 therefore not requiring me to file an income tax return. Should I do it anyway for 2019? or both 2015 and 2019? I'm so stressed by this. Thanks for your response! Appreciate it!

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

2 hours ago, Prettygal1221 said:

In 2015, I was claimed as a dependent on my father's income tax return and I made no money that year since I arrived as an LPR on October 2015 . That should be sufficient evidence for the 2015 tax year right? Do I have to bring a copy of his tax form? For 2019, I can still file now and what I have is the form 1098 - T which is from my school indicating that the excess amount of scholarships that I'm apparently supposed to declare as income is $11,305 which is still less than 2019' standard deduction of $12,200 therefore not requiring me to file an income tax return. Should I do it anyway for 2019? or both 2015 and 2019? I'm so stressed by this. Thanks for your response! Appreciate it!

If you were listed as a dependent on your fathers tax return as far as I know that’s equivalent to filing.

 

Honestly - I think you’re panicking needlessly.  If filing for 2019 will make you feel better, then do so for peace of mind. 

[Prettygal1221 9]

49 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

If you were listed as a dependent on your fathers tax return as far as I know that’s equivalent to filing.

 

Honestly - I think you’re panicking needlessly.  If filing for 2019 will make you feel better, then do so for peace of mind. 

I probably am panicking needlessly but I'm just so worried and don't want to have to get denied citizenship. Thank you for all your responses though! Truly appreciate it!

[Prettygal1221 9]

On 1/4/2021 at 6:55 PM, SusieQQQ said:

If you were listed as a dependent on your fathers tax return as far as I know that’s equivalent to filing.

 

Honestly - I think you’re panicking needlessly.  If filing for 2019 will make you feel better, then do so for peace of mind. 

Hi, I hope you can still see this and kindly respond -- due to my anxiety, needless panicking, and desire for peace of mind, I sent in 2015 and 2019 IRS tax forms last week via USPS though I wasn't required to. I also filed state returns and found out that I actually owe state taxes which I immediately settled via a card payment; that means I answered another question incorrectly on my N400 (do you owe federal, state, and local taxes?) My questions now are - can I correct that other mistake during the interview as well? What should I bring as proof? In addition, because it takes 6-12 weeks for IRS to actually process the returns (I owe $0); if my interview were to be scheduled before then, what should I bring? Copies of actual tax returns filed as well as my dad's tax return in 2015? I'm just confused because they ask for tax transcripts. Thank you!

Edited January 12, 2021 by Prettygal1221

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

You can correct anything that is incorrect. Bring proof of things like paying the state taxes. If you don’t have it, they may take you at your word, or they may delay a decision until you get and submit the required proof.

[Prettygal1221 9]

3 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

You can correct anything that is incorrect. Bring proof of things like paying the state taxes. If you don’t have it, they may take you at your word, or they may delay a decision until you get and submit the required proof.

Thank you so much for your response! Appreciate it!