Got my Tax transcripts from IRS. Listen to this...

[Matt_Stevens 5]

So the strange stuff first. As you may recall, my tax returns and W2's went bye bye thanks to my ex.

So I called the IRS and they were able to send me transcripts for 2003 and 2004 (but not 2002 for some reason). Today they arrived in the mail. The ex and I filed jointly, so the transcripts do not show what I earned vs. what she earned. Just a joint lump sum of 80K for 2003 and 97.4K for 2004.

My W2's are bye bye as well and I can only get W2's for two of the companies I worked for. The other two I worked for in the last four years are OOB and Bought Out & unable to locate my file. Basically I have no way of proving what I earned individually.

I contacted my Ex and she has agreed to send me a copy of the 2002 Tax Year, though she does not have any copies of my W2's.

So, what kind of advice can you all give me knowing the facts of my tax situation? By the time Anh has her interview I should have my statement from the IRS where I claimed ZERO income for 2005. That is why I need a co-sponsor.

MEANWHILE: I called Anh this morning and asked her if she received my moneygram. She did and the $270 down payment for the restaurant where we will have the Dam Hoi has been made. Now she is suddenly nervous because it is real. She made me smile when she said how much she misses my voice and that she just wants it to be a month from now so I can hug her.

Edited April 11, 2006 by Matt_Stevens

[dalegg 143]

So the strange stuff first. As you may recall, my tax returns and W2's went bye bye thanks to my ex.

So I called the IRS and they were able to send me transcripts for 2003 and 2004 (but not 2002 for some reason). Today they arrived in the mail. The ex and I filed jointly, so the transcripts do not show what I earned vs. what she earned. Just a joint lump sum of 80K for 2003 and 97.4K for 2004.

My W2's are bye bye as well and I can only get W2's for two of the companies I worked for. The other two I worked for in the last four years are OOB and Bought Out & unable to locate my file. Basically I have no way of proving what I earned individually.

I contacted my Ex and she has agreed to send me a copy of the 2002 Tax Year, though she does not have any copies of my W2's.

So, what kind of advice can you all give me knowing the facts of my tax situation? By the time Anh has her interview I should have my statement from the IRS where I claimed ZERO income for 2005. That is why I need a co-sponsor.

MEANWHILE: I called Anh this morning and asked her if she received my moneygram. She did and the $270 down payment for the restaurant where we will have the Dam Hoi has been made. Now she is suddenly nervous because it is real. She made me smile when she said how much she misses my voice and that she just wants it to be a month from now so I can hug her.

I have to tell you that I think that the only tax statement that is going to matter is last year's. In the pack 3 instructions I got from HCMC (page 2), it says to send in

"1. Copies of his or her latest federal tax return, including W-2 statements, other attachments and appendices;"

If you filed jointly the W-2s are the only way they can tell who's income is who's.

[Matt_Stevens 5]

What a shame we cannot have the interview NOW, as the 2004 tax return looks bloody good.

I can prove that I have taken care of my ill grandmother for the last year and a half. The question is, will they give a sh!t that I have been a good grandson? When Anh does have her interview I will all but certainly have a full time job. I am getting one when I return from Vietnam simply for that purpose. The writing will have to be squeezed in.

[dalegg 143]

I can prove that I have taken care of my ill grandmother for the last year and a half. The question is, will they give a sh!t that I have been a good grandson?

Not really. They just want proof of where the money came from.

[wait4ever 0]

What a shame we cannot have the interview NOW, as the 2004 tax return looks bloody good.

I can prove that I have taken care of my ill grandmother for the last year and a half. The question is, will they give a sh!t that I have been a good grandson?

Trust me, they won't give a damn about this. It's definately "show me the money".

Over the years I have found the Consular officers to be very interested in past years' tax returns. If I ever leave a year out, they will ask for it. Given your prior returns were better than your 2005, I would show off all you can to prove you have a history of decent income. When you get a new job, try to get as much proof as possible (letter from employer, pay stubbs). I think that will go a long ways towards covering that 2005 gap.

[Matt_Stevens 5]

My issue is how do I explain the "gap" in income. There is basically an 18 month period where I have not earned any money (officially) and during that time I have cared for my grandmother. This has kept her out of a nursing home.

It was good for the both of us, as it allowed me to concentrate on my writing, which is nearly finished.

[CarolineM 0]

Take this for what it's worth since I did DCF through Australia...

BUT I had alllll these tax returns, W2s pay stubs...for the past FOUR years...took me ages to get all of it together. They looked through all my stuff and ONLY TOOK last years...that's it.

But as I said I know it's different going through Vietnam.

In terms of how to explain - do just what you did to us - just explain it. If you have a co-sponsor (which I take it you are planning on doing?) Would it even matter? I was prepared to explain my lack of income in 2003 as I had just finished grad school...I typed up a letter!

[Matt_Stevens 5]

But how to explain that? I won't be there for the interview, obviously. So can I write a small letter stating what happened and attach it to the front of my employment history? Is that allowed? Do I need to get it notorized?

[CarolineM 0]

wouldn't hurt! yeah send a letter with Anh and notarization is never a bad idea but I have a notary at work so she does it all for free.

[Matt_Stevens 5]

So here is an update on the tax situation. My transcripts for 2003 and 2004 came in yesterday. I also received a package from my ex. I had emailed her asking for whatever she had and she did have copies of some of my W2's.

That just leaves last year, which was a ZERO income year, unfortunately. Those of you who have read my posts know why.