No Tax Transcript to submit. Is 1040 + proof of current income enough?

[shytown 45]

I am collecting documents for the NVC stage of the I-130 process. I've just accessed my tax transcripts online, and it appears the IRS has no record of receiving my 2021 tax return despite me filing it on time and confirming delivery via tracking number. I filed from abroad right before the expat deadline, which is in June 2022. I DO have tax transcripts from all years prior.

 

I'm a bit confused how to proceed. It looks like I can submit scans of my 1040 that I created before I sent it out. Is that enough?

 

I did not have any US-based income until this year when I started my new US-based job a few months ago. I earn more than enough to meet sponsorship requirements for my spouse and have ways to prove this (months of paystubs, contract, etc.). 

 

So, should I be okay with a 1040 from 2021 + earnings details for my current position? 

Edited November 22, 2022 by shytown

[Jordanian Bride 268]

1040 from 2021 + any associated W2/1099 from 2021 + earning details for your current position [employment verification letter + paystubs].

Edited November 22, 2022 by Jordanian Bride

[shytown 45]

5 minutes ago, Jordanian Bride said:

1040 from 2021 + any associated W2/1099 from 2021 + earning details for your current position [employment verification letter + paystubs].

Thanks for the info. I have a "Lohnsteuerbescheinigung" which is essentially an official German tax transcript with earnings from 2021. Would that be okay in place of a W2 as I did not have US income? If so, would I need to have this document professionally translated?

[Jordanian Bride 268]

5 minutes ago, shytown said:

Thanks for the info. I have a "Lohnsteuerbescheinigung" which is essentially an official German tax transcript with earnings from 2021. Would that be okay in place of a W2 as I did not have US income? If so, would I need to have this document professionally translated?

Yes, it would be. I would recommend that on the first page of the pdf, you attach an explanation that it is foreign earned income for 2021 (make it as simple for them as possible to understand & approve this document).

Edited November 22, 2022 by Jordanian Bride

[Crazy Cat 41,804]

9 minutes ago, shytown said:

Thanks for the info. I have a "Lohnsteuerbescheinigung" which is essentially an official German tax transcript with earnings from 2021. Would that be okay in place of a W2 as I did not have US income? If so, would I need to have this document professionally translated?

Foreign tax transcripts are irrelevant to this process.  US tax returns and proof of current annual income are relevant.

Edited November 22, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[shytown 45]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

Foreign tax transcripts are irrelevant to this process.  

So what should I submit in place of a W2 along with the 1040? This transcript I'm referring to is really more of a yearly income summary. It is essentially a German W2. 

[Jordanian Bride 268]

6 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Foreign tax transcripts are irrelevant to this process.  US tax returns and proof of current annual income are relevant.

If he uploads a 1040 and not a tax transcript, the NVC WILL issue an RFE requesting a W2/1099. They don't know that his 2021 tax return is for foreign income, and a tax return is not considered complete without a W2/1099, so he HAS to upload under the W2 line item at least an explanation of the fact that he has no W2 for the year 2021, and his income is foreign-based. The German tax transcript would serve that purpose, but I suggest it is uploaded with an explanation first.

Edited November 22, 2022 by Jordanian Bride

[Crazy Cat 41,804]

Just now, Jordanian Bride said:

If he uploads a 1040 and not a tax transcript, the NVC WILL issue an RFE requesting a W2. They don't know that his 2021 tax return is for foreign income, and a tax return is not considered complete without a W2/1040, so he HAS to upload under the W2 line item at least an explanation of the fact that he has no W2 for the year 2021, and his income is foreign-based. The German tax transcript would serve that purpose.

OK.  I think you're right if this is to show there is no W-2.  I would make it clear in the letter.

[Jordanian Bride 268]

5 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

OK.  I think you're right if this is to show there is no W-2.  I would make it clear in the letter.

Yes, the letter is pretty important.

[shytown 45]

10 minutes ago, Jordanian Bride said:

If he uploads a 1040 and not a tax transcript, the NVC WILL issue an RFE requesting a W2/1099. They don't know that his 2021 tax return is for foreign income, and a tax return is not considered complete without a W2/1099, so he HAS to upload under the W2 line item at least an explanation of the fact that he has no W2 for the year 2021, and his income is foreign-based. The German tax transcript would serve that purpose, but I suggest it is uploaded with an explanation first.

This makes sense. And just to clarify, it should be translated?

[Jordanian Bride 268]

Just now, shytown said:

This makes sense. And just to clarify, it should be translated?

Yes. You can actually translate it yourself, so long as you add text at the beginning certifying that you're competent enough to translate from German to English.

[shytown 45]

Just now, Jordanian Bride said:

Yes. You can actually translate it yourself, so long as you add text at the beginning certifying that you're competent enough to translate from German to English.

Thanks, that's what I did for my I-130 submission! Glad to hear! I appreciate your help!

[Jordanian Bride 268]

Just now, shytown said:

Thanks, that's what I did for my I-130 submission! Glad to hear! I appreciate your help!

All the best!

[pushbrk 12,868]

6 hours ago, shytown said:

I am collecting documents for the NVC stage of the I-130 process. I've just accessed my tax transcripts online, and it appears the IRS has no record of receiving my 2021 tax return despite me filing it on time and confirming delivery via tracking number. I filed from abroad right before the expat deadline, which is in June 2022. I DO have tax transcripts from all years prior.

 

I'm a bit confused how to proceed. It looks like I can submit scans of my 1040 that I created before I sent it out. Is that enough?

 

I did not have any US-based income until this year when I started my new US-based job a few months ago. I earn more than enough to meet sponsorship requirements for my spouse and have ways to prove this (months of paystubs, contract, etc.). 

 

So, should I be okay with a 1040 from 2021 + earnings details for my current position? 

Not JUST "1040" but complete copy of Federal Tax return including all schedules W2s and 1099s.  Everything you would have sent if you filed on paper.

[shytown 45]

3 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

Not JUST "1040" but complete copy of Federal Tax return including all schedules W2s and 1099s.  Everything you would have sent if you filed on paper.

I filed my tax return with the foreign earned income exclusion - I had no US-based income for years (until this year). According to the advice a few comments above, it appears that it's enough to submit the 1040 + a translated copy of my German W2, including a letter that states I did not earn any US-based income and cannot present W2's etc.. Would you agree that this is enough?