AGI or Gross income for CR-1

[james Black 0]

I have been not taking deductions to keep my AGI above the minimum for my wife’s CR-1 visa. It’s putting my taxes really high. I 1099 my income (self employed) am I making a huge mistake? 

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https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-864instr.pdf

 

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[pushbrk 12,883]

21 hours ago, james Black said:

I have been not taking deductions to keep my AGI above the minimum for my wife’s CR-1 visa. It’s putting my taxes really high. I 1099 my income (self employed) am I making a huge mistake? 

Do become an A-Student of the I-864 instructions, but AGI does not apply to a self employed person, in this context.  You are not filing a 1040EZ.  The number called "total income" is going to be your qualifying "current income".  That MIGHT be the same as AGI or might not.  Make sure your total income is at least 25% above the 125% minimum, is my recommendation.

[bondy88 6]

On 2/28/2024 at 9:19 PM, james Black said:

I have been not taking deductions to keep my AGI above the minimum for my wife’s CR-1 visa. It’s putting my taxes really high. I 1099 my income (self employed) am I making a huge mistake? 

 

You can always amend later. But with an amendment you actually have to substantiate your expenses. Fyi, If you're self employed with a Schedule C income and you're not taking reasonable and necessary expenses that are likely expected of your kind of business activity, you're setting yourself up for an audit down the road. Easy fix is to get a joint sponsor or make more money lol

[pushbrk 12,883]

3 minutes ago, bondy88 said:

 

You can always amend later. But with an amendment you actually have to substantiate your expenses. Fyi, If you're self employed with a Schedule C income and you're not taking reasonable and necessary expenses that are likely expected of your kind of business activity, you're setting yourself up for an audit down the road. Easy fix is to get a joint sponsor or make more money lol

I get your point.  I'm also self employed.  However, typing the words "joint sponsor" is "easy".  Finding one you are willing to ask to obligate themselves to what seems a pretty daunting contract, is not so easy, particularly for we independent and proud types.

[bondy88 6]

17 hours ago, pushbrk said:

I get your point.  I'm also self employed.  However, typing the words "joint sponsor" is "easy".  Finding one you are willing to ask to obligate themselves to what seems a pretty daunting contract, is not so easy, particularly for we independent and proud types.

If you're completely checked out from family members and friends and acquaintances around you and you're a complete loner, then yes, you'll be having a hard time finding someone to JS your beneficiary. The financial repercussions of signing affidavit of support docs, for a beneficiary who IF they become a public charge after getting their greencard -- are probably way less than getting someone an additional credit card under your line of credit. At least the bank will go after you if the bills are unpaid. Here the government just doesn't give a rats behind if a beneficiary later becomes a public charge. They were seriously going to start enforcing Aos during the previous administration but then elections happened.

[pushbrk 12,883]

7 minutes ago, bondy88 said:

If you're completely checked out from family members and friends and acquaintances around you and you're a complete loner, then yes, you'll be having a hard time finding someone to JS your beneficiary. The financial repercussions of signing affidavit of support docs, for a beneficiary who IF they become a public charge after getting their greencard -- are probably way less than getting someone an additional credit card under your line of credit. At least the bank will go after you if the bills are unpaid. Here the government just doesn't give a rats behind if a beneficiary later becomes a public charge. They were seriously going to start enforcing Aos during the previous administration but then elections happened.

You and I know that.  Try convincing a skeptical potential joint sponsor of that, after they read the contract and understand it.  I'm not a complete loner by any stretch, but before I even got serious with a potential foreign spouse, I checked out the financial requirements to make sure I qualified.  If I hadn't, I would not have pursued the relationship.