Filing for N-400 - taxes?

[P055UM 281]

My window for filing the N-400 under the three year rule will open at the end of  February 2025. I arrived in the US on a K-1 in 2021.

 

Wondering about the tax return requirements. Our taxes for the last three years look like:

 

2021: MFS (as required, spouse name is on 1040)

2022: MFJ

2023:MFJ

 

The 90 day window will open before I have all of the documents ready to complete the 2024 return MFJ. I guess I have three options:

 

1) File N-400 with 2021-2023

2) File 2024 MFJ knowing it will probably need to be updated and send N-400 with 2022-2024

3) Wait until 2024 tax return can be filed with all forms (may take a long time as one particular accountant is extremely slow and the issue they are working on is somewhat tricky)

Obviously 3) is the clearest option but I really would like to file N-400 as soon as possible. Would it be an issue going with 1) or 2)?

 

Thanks! 

 

[OldUser 6,633]

I'd go with option 1 why wait?

[top_secret 2,417]

Tax returns are recommended, and not infrequently asked for at interviews, but they are not at all a strict requirement.  Submit what you have, when you have it, if you feel it may be helpful to your case.  But don't feel you need to center your case around tax returns alone.

[P055UM 281]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

I'd go with option 1 why wait?

I’m mostly concerned that we don’t have three years of MFJ.
 

I know it isn’t strictly a requirement to file jointly, but honestly I’m not sure what the point of including returns is at all if you don’t file jointly. I’m totally unclear what it proves to them. 

[P055UM 281]

11 minutes ago, top_secret said:

Tax returns are recommended, and not infrequently asked for at interviews, but they are not at all a strict requirement.  Submit what you have, when you have it, if you feel it may be helpful to your case.  But don't feel you need to center your case around tax returns alone.

Thanks. I feel like I had got the idea that they were strictly required. 

[OldUser 6,633]

3 minutes ago, P055UM said:

Thanks. I feel like I had got the idea that they were strictly required. 

They're highly recommended.

 

6 minutes ago, P055UM said:

I’m mostly concerned that we don’t have three years of MFJ.
 

I know it isn’t strictly a requirement to file jointly, but honestly I’m not sure what the point of including returns is at all if you don’t file jointly. I’m totally unclear what it proves to them. 

The point of including tax return transcripts is to show that you pay taxes as required by lawful permanent resident. If you have a valid reason to file MFS it's OK.

[P055UM 281]

8 minutes ago, OldUser said:

They're highly recommended.

 

The point of including tax return transcripts is to show that you pay taxes as required by lawful permanent resident. If you have a valid reason to file MFS it's OK.

This is useful! Thank you!