Need Advice on Tax Transcript for NVC Stage

[Chiemi 1]

Hello VJ folks,

 

We are on NVC stage now and collecting the required documents.

We've encountered an issue with our most recent tax transcript–our CPA mistakenly filed it under "SINGLE" status instead of "married filing separately."

Unfortunately, this version has already been uploaded to the IRS system. 

We have submitted an amended version to correct the error and IRS has received it.

However, it may take up to 16 weeks for the amended version to appear in their system.

Given this situation, is it going to be a problem if we submit the current tax transcript (filed as "single") as it is?

Or should we wait until the amended version is reflected in the system?

Or is it acceptable to submit the current version along with a letter explaining the CPA's mistake and noting that an amended return has been filed?

 

Thank you in advance for your help and advice!!

[S2N 80]

47 minutes ago, Chiemi said:

Hello VJ folks,

 

We are on NVC stage now and collecting the required documents.

We've encountered an issue with our most recent tax transcript–our CPA mistakenly filed it under "SINGLE" status instead of "married filing separately."

Unfortunately, this version has already been uploaded to the IRS system. 

We have submitted an amended version to correct the error and IRS has received it.

However, it may take up to 16 weeks for the amended version to appear in their system.

Given this situation, is it going to be a problem if we submit the current tax transcript (filed as "single") as it is?

Or should we wait until the amended version is reflected in the system?

Or is it acceptable to submit the current version along with a letter explaining the CPA's mistake and noting that an amended return has been filed?

 

Thank you in advance for your help and advice!!

@pushbrk has a line on this — it doesn’t really matter for immigration purposes. Consular officers understand.

 

For tax purposes it matters if you live in a handful of states or made more than $125k, but if you have to amend, I’d just wait until your spouse is here with an SSN and amend to MFJ so you get money back.

[Crazy Cat 43,327]

7 hours ago, Chiemi said:

Hello VJ folks,

 

We are on NVC stage now and collecting the required documents.

We've encountered an issue with our most recent tax transcript–our CPA mistakenly filed it under "SINGLE" status instead of "married filing separately."

Unfortunately, this version has already been uploaded to the IRS system. 

We have submitted an amended version to correct the error and IRS has received it.

However, it may take up to 16 weeks for the amended version to appear in their system.

Given this situation, is it going to be a problem if we submit the current tax transcript (filed as "single") as it is?

Or should we wait until the amended version is reflected in the system?

Or is it acceptable to submit the current version along with a letter explaining the CPA's mistake and noting that an amended return has been filed?

 

Thank you in advance for your help and advice!!

You could just submit a copy of the amended 1040 package to CEAC (NVC) instead of a transcript for that year.

[Chiemi 1]

Thank you for your replies.

I'm glad to hear that filing a tax return under the wrong status won't be a major issue.

It's a great relief to know that we don't have to wait until the amended version is reflected on the system.

As @Crazy Cat recommended, we will submit the amended 1040 to CEAC.

 

[S2N 80]

24 minutes ago, Chiemi said:

Thank you for your replies.

I'm glad to hear that filing a tax return under the wrong status won't be a major issue.

It's a great relief to know that we don't have to wait until the amended version is reflected on the system.

As @Crazy Cat recommended, we will submit the amended 1040 to CEAC.

 

Is your plan to submit a second amended return after she moves to the U.S. in order to claim the tax benefits?

 

It’s certainly possible, but seems like a waste of time to me vs. just amending once she’s here.

Edited Wednesday at 01:14 PM by S2N

[Crazy Cat 43,327]

10 minutes ago, S2N said:

Is your plan to submit a second amended return after she moves to the U.S. in order to claim the tax benefits?

 

It’s certainly possible, but seems like a waste of time to me vs. just amending once she’s here.

OP has already submitted the amendment.

[S2N 80]

3 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

OP has already submitted the amendment.

I misread. Lack of sleep. Sorry about that, OP.

[JeanneAdil 6,856]

16 hours ago, S2N said:

@pushbrk has a line on this — it doesn’t really matter for immigration purposes. Consular officers understand.

 

For tax purposes it matters if you live in a handful of states or made more than $125k, but if you have to amend, I’d just wait until your spouse is here with an SSN and amend to MFJ so you get money back.

USC can file MFS OR MFJ even when the bene is not yet in the US 

the W7 form goes along with the return to claim the spouse for the double tax deduction / USC can claim the spouse in the year married 

 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/nonresident-aliens

 

 

[pushbrk 13,361]

7 hours ago, Chiemi said:

Thank you for your replies.

I'm glad to hear that filing a tax return under the wrong status won't be a major issue.

It's a great relief to know that we don't have to wait until the amended version is reflected on the system.

As @Crazy Cat recommended, we will submit the amended 1040 to CEAC.

 

Yes, that is the correct procedure.  A complete copy of the federal tax return including all schedules, W2, and 1099 forms.

 

Please note there are several kinds of "tax transcripts".  What is relevant here is the Tax Return Transcript.  I-864 instructions are clear about return or return transcript.  The word or is there for a reason.

[Chiemi 1]

14 hours ago, S2N said:

Is your plan to submit a second amended return after she moves to the U.S. in order to claim the tax benefits?

 

It’s certainly possible, but seems like a waste of time to me vs. just amending once she’s here.

 

 

7 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

USC can file MFS OR MFJ even when the bene is not yet in the US 

the W7 form goes along with the return to claim the spouse for the double tax deduction / USC can claim the spouse in the year married 

 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/nonresident-aliens

 

 

 

Thank you, S2N and JeanneAdil, for your comments regarding the tax return.

We will take your suggestion into consideration once the immigration process is complete.

[Chiemi 1]

7 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Yes, that is the correct procedure.  A complete copy of the federal tax return including all schedules, W2, and 1099 forms.

 

Please note there are several kinds of "tax transcripts".  What is relevant here is the Tax Return Transcript.  I-864 instructions are clear about return or return transcript.  The word or is there for a reason.

Thank you, pushbrk!

Your affirmation gives us the confidence to move forward.

Yes, we will make sure to submit the tax return transcript and W2.

[pushbrk 13,361]

40 minutes ago, Chiemi said:

Thank you, pushbrk!

Your affirmation gives us the confidence to move forward.

Yes, we will make sure to submit the tax return transcript and W2.

Maybe you are confused, because that is not what I said.

[S2N 80]

1 hour ago, Chiemi said:

Thank you, S2N and JeanneAdil, for your comments regarding the tax return.

We will take your suggestion into consideration once the immigration process is complete.

My comment was more one of practicality having misread your initial post i.e. it doesn’t make much sense to amend twice if you don’t have to and it’s easier if you already have an SSN, so the easiest path forward would have been for you just to wait until your wife was here given the stage you were in.

 

The short answer on virtually every tax question is “it depends” and when you throw in a non-resident alien spouse, that becomes even more the case since you have a decent amount of valid options.

 

The way you did it certainly is valid and there’s nothing wrong with it, just might not be the most efficient way, but that’s water under the bridge at this point

 

Sorry again for misreading your initial post.

Edited yesterday at 05:16 AM by S2N

[Chiemi 1]

32 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

Maybe you are confused, because that is not what I said.

You mean a full copy of tax return including all attachments and schedules, or as @Crazy Cat mentioned, a copy of the amended 1040 package. Is that correct?

Sorry for being unclear.

[pushbrk 13,361]

14 hours ago, Chiemi said:

You mean a full copy of tax return including all attachments and schedules, or as @Crazy Cat mentioned, a copy of the amended 1040 package. Is that correct?

Sorry for being unclear.

I meant exactly what I said.  Words mean things here.