Noorah101

Yes, although it becomes less of an issue, since if you're under the required amount, it will be your joint sponsor's I-864 that will take presidence.

Rene

jeffreyhy

Why not? Because you weren't working for the full year? Or because you've changed jobs? Or gotten a raise?

Remember, I wrote "Unless there has been a significant change in your income situation since your last income tax return ...". Has there been a significant change or hasn't there?

Regards, JEff

EDIT: OK, I see that there has not been a significant change, and your last tax return is consistent with your current income. Looks like you're going to need a joint sponsor.

Regards, JEff

optomisticgirl

Pretty much Jeff, I actually look at it to be lower than 2011's due to the reduce hours. My stepdad (our joint sponsor) makes more than enough- hell have a household size of 4, including my husband, and made $41,000 last year according to his last pay stub. Determining his current income is just a much of a headache though.

jeffreyhy

Shouldn't be, given that the year-to-date numbers on his most recent pay stub should also be full-year numbers. Same for you. (Contrary to what I wrote in an earlier post in this thread, since I overlooked that at this point year-to-date for 2012 is the same as full-year 2012.)

Regards, JEff

optomisticgirl

Yeah but if we file taxes before we file the I-864 2012 year to date becomes the previous year's income rather than current, correct?

jeffreyhy

Not if the rate of pay hasn't changed, or if the job or employment itself hasn't changed.

Regards, JEff

optomisticgirl

Right, so we could list the year to date from 2012 as the current amount as long as no major changes (pay rise, lost hours, change in job) has occurred. Would that include simply switching companies? My stepdad worked for the big guy but about Aug I believe was moved and started working under the big guy's son. Two different companies I believe.

Noorah101

Your scenario is confusing to me.

When it comes time for your joint sponsor to fill out the I-864, he completes all the information as it pertains to the day he's filling out the I-864. He lists the most recent 3 years of tax return figures (as it is on the day he fills out the I-864). He lists his current income as is stands on the day he fills out the I-864. It's really very straightforward.

Rene

RICH

Quick answer. The whole question comes down to a judgement call by the adjuticating officer. The applicants' concern is to provide: Previous earnings ("most recent" tax return/ end of year paystub): Current earnings (recent paystubs). Same applies for sponsor.
Sponsor and spouse will have all the above, or not.
The decision will be based on the amounts there-in, and the likelihood of the income continuing. No need to stress about calculating your hourly wage etc.

Actual filing of 2012 tax return will not make a diffrence either way, it is about income, not taxes.

optomisticgirl

What makes it not straight forward is he just simply doesn't make a fixed weeky income, it all depends on about 3 or 4 things so figuring current income isn't as easy as multiplying a hourly pay rate (which he doesn't get paid by the hour) by hours or weeks. He always brings something home but that can differ from $100-$300 from week to week.

RICH

Hi civilservant
I almost got bogged down with wifey's concerns about joint sponsor income, but in response to your original question:
a) We ARE in a new tax year, Jan 1st, in case you didn't realise,
b) The "2012 tax info" is what you (she) will be filing between now and April 15th 2013
c) What you need is the most recent filing, plus subsequent pay stub info.
d) She can file 2012 taxes now, and make that "the most recent" in the I-864 app.

ian-mstm

Right... so take the average and multiply it by x number of weeks to make 52 and that is his projected annual salary. It's not like USCIS is going to make you prove it to the exact penny! Unless you're on a fixed salary, nobody knows what their annual income is going to be based on a few pay stubs.

You apparently know what his weekly high/low amount is... take the average and go with it. I really don't understand why this is so difficult.

Ian

jeffreyhy

Yes, because at this point in time year-to-date 2012 is both current and annual. Switching employers would normally be a significant change of circumstance. I cannot tell from the information you've provided if this change is significant or not. Will it involve a change in pay? A change in hours? Is son's company as stable as big guy's company? Regards, JEff

jeffreyhy

Correct, it's about income, and note that an income tax return both reports and documents one's income. (Calling it simply "tax return" is misleading - it's an income tax return.) That's why the immigration services use the income tax return as the primary means of establishing income for tax purposes. Unless circumstances have changed since the last income tax return was filed, no additional income documentation is required.

Regards, JEff