AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

When it comes to my husband's (USC) 3 years worth of tax returns...I just wanted to make sure that it IS the actual 1040 forms that we need to submit, as this has all the income information on it.

Is this correct? Thanks so much for your help!! :)

~Katie

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Well, I'd only submit copies with the AOS application, and if they want originals you can bring them to the interview.

However, I sent copies of my IRS tax transcripts which I ordered for free from the IRS. These are just simplified versions of the 1040s, and come in the mail in about 10-15 days (maybe quicker). I preferred this instead of worrying about sending originals of 1040s or not. Also, since we filed electronically, there really isn't a signed 1040 to provide, so felt better about sending a tax transcript instead.

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Hey Jamie!

Yeah, I should have mentioned that I meant we'd be sending photocopies.

Hold on a sec, though....you said you filed electronically??!! Was that for everything (AOS, EAD, AP)?? Or just for AOS? Either way, it would be a whole bunch easier to file electronically! How did you go about doing it that way?

Thanks for your help!
Katie

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Although it may depend on what USCIS you use, you should be able to use tax transcripts with W-2s if you prefer, which don't cost anything to obtain from the IRS.

Exact copies of the actual tax returns cost $39 each, but contain pretty much the same info as the tax transcript.

Go here for more info: http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq1-6.html

We used tax transcripts and W-2s for our AOS application, and had no problems.

~ Jenney

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

I believe she meant she filed her TAXES electronically :)

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Hi Jenney,

Thanks for the info...just to confirm, though - we *can* submit photocopies of the actual 1040s for the 3 most recent years, right? We don't *have* to get the tax transcripts from the IRS, do we?

Thx,
Katie

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Oh....hehehe...oops...I was all excited for a minute, there, too!

Duh...

Thanks, Chessie!! :)

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

I just submitted 2 years of photocopied 1040s and one tax transcript for the 3rd year (I seemed to have mis-placed that year's tax return). The Immigration officer reviewing it all didn't bat an eye, so I assume either or both are acceptable.

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Hi Katie,

I used photocopies of the 1040's, plus the W-2's for my I-864 and so far all is well.

Best Wishes,
Rene

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Hi Rene & Chessie...

I think what we'll do is submit the 1040's for the 3 years, and then if they want any more info, we can always get the transcripts from the IRS if needed.

Rene, I thought the W-2's were for jointly filed taxes, and thereofre we wouldn't need to send them...?

TIA,
Katie

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Katie,

I don't know...I included my W-2's along with the I-134, also. I guess I didn't need to, eh? Oh well...I just that's all part of my tax return so I sent them along. LOL

Rene

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

lol...Better safe than sorry, right? :D

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

I didn't submit W-2s, but I'm divorced from my first husband. All I gave them was two years of photocopied 1040s, a tax transcript from the IRS for the 3rd year, photocopies of my paystubs for this calendar year, and that's it as far as my income statements. They didn't seem to want anything else (and I didn't mail anything, since we live in Dallas, it was a face-to-face applications review/interview combined).

But better safe than sorry I'll agree with :)

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Thanks guys, you're awesome!!

I have one more question...my husband sent me a letter from his employer in May, for my K1 interview at the consulate. The consulate kept the letter, and put it into my brown envelope, along with everything else. I gave the brown envelope to the Customs Officer at the border crossing, and she told me the entire file would be sent to our district sub-office. The problem is, I notice that most people have submitted letters from their USC spouse's employers with the I-864. I was under the impression that we could just submit the most recent paystub, since they (the district office) will already have the letter of employment in the file. Am I correct? Or does my husband have to get another letter of employment?

Thx....again...!
Katie

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Katie,

Again, I don't know whether it was required/necessary or not, but I indeed got a new, updated employment letter to include with the I-864. I had gotten a small (very small! lol) raise, but otherwise the information was the same. I mainly wanted the date on the letter to be close to the date we filed AOS paperwork.

I also imagine I'll be getting one more down the road, if we have to do an updated I-864 by the time our interview time comes around, as it won't be until summer of 2006 or so.

Hope that helps!
Rene

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Katie,

I forgot, I also turned in a letter from my employer along with my paystubs, tax returns, etc... It stated that I was a full-time employee of the company since <start date> that my position was <___> and that my current salary is <$____>. I didn't know if this was required, but better safe than sorry :)

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Okay, thanks so much, ladies...they sure don't make it easy on us, do they?! It seems like such a nuisance to continually ask for letters of employment...oh well, such is life!


Thanks again...
Katie

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

W2s are only required with joint tax returns, all they do is prove that the sponsor by themselves have enough income, on the joint tax returns it would list both people's income and so the W2 determines exactly how much the sponsor makes (unless they have some other income which would also then need the tax return for that, maybe a 1099 MISC for other income)

Patrick

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

I just remembered something. When I turned in the I-134 to send along with the P3 materials, at the time I couldn't find my 2003 W-2. I had included the W-2s from 2001 and 2002. On my fiance's appointment letter, it had a list of things to bring to the interview. One of them was my missing 2003 W-2. I had to ask my employer for another original, and brought it along to the interview, where they looked at it and put it with my other I-134 materials.

If it wasn't something required, why did they ask for it?

Rene

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Well the instructions are clear that if you are filing joint tax returns you need to include W2s for those years. Sounds like the officer's mistake if you filed single tax returns for those years OR it was due to the inclusion of 2 years and he wanted the third thinking that there might be a reason on your behalf that you were including W2s

Patrick

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Oh....guess I made more work for myself by doing that! LOL Mine were all single tax returns. Oh well...! :)

Rene

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Better too much that too little :)
Patrick

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

katie

You have to look at the big picture. If you send USCIS a photocopy of a copy of your husband's tax returns for three years, you are not proving that he made that kind of money in the past. Where are the W-2's to support the claim? How does the USCIS know that they aren't dummy 1040's. If you are going to use copies then include the W-2's. If at all possible then order the tax transcripts on the phone's automated system and you will have them in a week's time. At least do it for the interview. In fact if you were AOSing in New York City it is mandatory that you use the transcripts. They are free of charge.

Rete

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Rene is correct. You need another letter. Your husband is filing the I-864. The K-1 used the I-134. Different affidavit of supports. Include with the I-864 EVERYTHING it asks for.

Rete

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Rene is talking about the I-134 for the K-1. Most probably she was single and didn't file jointly.

Also you have to remember that when dealing with the US Consulate, they make their own rules and if they want tax returns and W-2s then you provide them.

Rete

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Katie,
Being in the running for the most *anal* of the group, I sent in photocopies of the last three year's 1040s, photocopies of W-2s for those years (the first year I did have the joint income of my ex-husband to account for), AND tax transcripts for the last three years. (I called the IRS and got them in the mail in literally three days).

And yes, I also included an updated letter of employment, because it was approximately eight months between the original letter for the I-134 and the filing of Mr. P's AOS papers.

I also included an updated letter from my bank manager regarding the checking and savings accounts and the present balances in those. He did this for me free of charge, mainly, I think, because I had come in with all the statements added up for the past year and a sample letter. :D

I really *am* affected, aren't I??? !

Congrats to our *dear Katie*......send us a note sometime and we'll catch up!

~SecretGarden
~and Mr. Pink (who goes for a second interview tomorrow for a great job! Fingers and toes crossed!)

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Hi there SG!

Glad you said "in the running" there...LOL You and I are just about tied, I think! :D Glad to hear about Mr. Pink's interviews...wishing you all good luck....

Best Wishes,
Rene

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Hi guys...

Rete, thanks for the clarifications - I didn't realize that the W-2 is what your employer gives you stating how much you made. I'll have my dear hubby take a look for those.

We're also going to send away for the IRS tax transcript, just to be on the safe side.

SG - I don't think you're overly anal at all...you just want to be sure that you've got all your bases covered, as do we! :D The last thing I want, in this frustrating and repetitive process, is to find out that I forgot to or didn't include some document that would have been easily obtained.

SG, I'll send ya a note soon...once we get some digi-pics of the wedding up, I'll post one :)

Thanks again, everyone...I now feel like I have a grasp on what's required for the I-864 (of course there's still the AP & EAD crap that I'll be back here whining about, I'm sure! :) )

~Katie~

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

OMG - SG! I forgot to add my congrats to Mr. Pink for the second interview!! That's so great! :) I'll be sending my good luck wishes!! :D

~Kate~

Re: AOS Question re: USC's tax returns
 

Heya Rene,
Long time no see, eh? :) Of course I am only "in the running"---after all, I have *you* and *Karen* to compete with! *sheesh....* :D

~SG

P.S. We "old timers" need to start spreading some karma around..... :)