evidence of support tax returns

[formakashic 0]

hey guys, i just have a wee question for anyone who might be able to help me out.

im looking at the embassy's website and on the section explaining the evidence of support it states that we need to provide "notarized copies of his or her latest federal income tax return". what does notarized copies exactly mean? I know I have to get the affidavit of supported notarized at a notary when i sign it but im not sure what they want here. I obtained my tax return transcripts and w2s from the irs. do i need to take these to the notary and sign it somewhere and have them stamp it? or am i fine with just the tax return transcripts and w2s from the irs as they are?

thanks guys. youre all awesome for being there and helping people and all that good stuff.

cheers!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Actually nothing is notarized anymore. The I-134 form used to have a place for a notary to witness your signature. That form has been updated removing the notary section. Nothing to do with taxes is notarized either. To satisfy the tax return part of the documentation you can submit

Either of:

a ) A tax transcript from the IRS

or

b ) A copy of your return, ie Form 1040 (signed) with all schedules that you filed with it like Schedule A, D etc (if any)

AND all W2 forms or 1099 forms that were used to show income on that tax return.

[TracyTN 237]

Yep. IRS Transcripts are the preferred method.

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=110571,00.html

[Mintchip 0]

I also have a question regarding tax returns. For the I-864, Affidavit of Support, I understand it's best to provide the past three years tax transcripts. However, during much of that time, I was living and working in the UK with my UKC husband. So, do I provide copies of my UK tax returns along with my US tax returns? Thanks.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The requirement is one tax return, but if they think they need to see more, they can ask for more, so many send 3 years. I guess you have a special case, so I would write a note of explanation telling them when and where you worked, and what tax returns you are sending. Be sure you end it with your current job and salary in the US, so they don't get confused and say "hmmm...well a UK job isn't going to help her now if she lives in the US." Attach it right after the I-864 before the other evidence so they see it first.

I don't know that much about Americans abroad. Do you file a US return just to show the IRS what you earned and then get some kind of credit for the UK taxes your paid? If your US return shows the UK earnings, then that might be okay without sending the UK returns since they wouldn't be familiar with what to look at anyway.

[Mintchip 0]

The requirement is one tax return, but if they think they need to see more, they can ask for more, so many send 3 years. I guess you have a special case, so I would write a note of explanation telling them when and where you worked, and what tax returns you are sending. Be sure you end it with your current job and salary in the US, so they don't get confused and say "hmmm...well a UK job isn't going to help her now if she lives in the US." Attach it right after the I-864 before the other evidence so they see it first.

I don't know that much about Americans abroad. Do you file a US return just to show the IRS what you earned and then get some kind of credit for the UK taxes your paid? If your US return shows the UK earnings, then that might be okay without sending the UK returns since they wouldn't be familiar with what to look at anyway.

Yes, I keep reading different suggestions on the number of tax returns to include, from one to three, just as you mentioned. It will be more confusing if I include my UK returns as I just went through redoing my 2007 US return with a tax accountant here, and he was even confused, lol! Anyway, to answer your question, yes, US citizens still have to file and somehow the UK taxes get credited (this is why I used an accountant) by the IRS. I've been back here in the US and working since the middle of 2008, so I think I'll be okay. I've had a permanent job since Nov. 2008 and making above the required income.

Thanks so much for your input.

[ealachan 0]

related question: are scanned copies of the W2's acceptable, or will they get rejected?

[imaisha 0]

related question: are scanned copies of the W2's acceptable, or will they get rejected?

Should be fine- they don't need to be originals.