What does income tax returns 'for the 5 years' mean?

[Christy02 0]

I am planning to submit my N-400 by next week if I manage to compile all my documents. My case: divorced for more than 10 years, single, no kids, barely any travel, worked and lived at the same place for the past 10 years. 

 

My question about the tax returns is this: how is 5 years calculated? Do I need tax returns from 2016? I logged into the IRS website to get the transcripts. They have account transcripts from 2016-2020, but that's the short, one-page document. The tax return transcripts, which are more detailed, are only from 2017 to 2020. 

 

Which one should I attach to the online application? The tax returns or the tax transcripts? Do I need to order the tax transcript for 2016? (That would cost $50 and who knows who much time it will take.) 

[retheem 568]

19 hours ago, Christy02 said:

I am planning to submit my N-400 by next week if I manage to compile all my documents. My case: divorced for more than 10 years, single, no kids, barely any travel, worked and lived at the same place for the past 10 years. 

 

My question about the tax returns is this: how is 5 years calculated? Do I need tax returns from 2016? I logged into the IRS website to get the transcripts. They have account transcripts from 2016-2020, but that's the short, one-page document. The tax return transcripts, which are more detailed, are only from 2017 to 2020. 

 

Which one should I attach to the online application? The tax returns or the tax transcripts? Do I need to order the tax transcript for 2016? (That would cost $50 and who knows who much time it will take.) 

Carry the tax transcripts. They are free from the IRS website.

Edited June 24, 2021 by retheem

[NEW CITIZEN 151]

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

 

Thats 5

[Saljuboori 1]

On 6/24/2021 at 11:42 AM, NEW CITIZEN said:

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

 

Thats 5

Correct but only "Account" Transcripts are available online for these years (2016 - 2020), but he's asking about the "Return" transcripts which is only available online from 2017 - 2020.