I am getting my financial documents together for the affidavit of support and I do have last year's tax return. I heard somewhere that the transcript is better evidence than the actual return. What did you all use? Thanks!

Steven

return

Simple transcripts.

http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq1-6.html

Same for everything, I-129, AOS, lifting of conditions, citizenship.

copy of a return

So are you saying just be consistent?




So the transcripts are preferable? I have my tax return...

It's funny how all the posters have skipped around your initial question. It's a great question, that I want someone to answer.
Transcripts prove you actually filed your taxes.
Anyone can hypothetically generate a tax return.
What is the goal of the USCIS? To prove we file taxes, to prove amount earned (W2) would be sufficient for that.
My wife's citizenship interview letter says bring transcripts or copies of return. But here I think they are checking whether she filed taxes these last three years.
Anyone?

Huh? The original question was: What did you all use?

I sent a simple copy of last year's 1040. It was fine. I intend to continue with copies of tax returns for future USCIS events.

I sent copies of my last 3 W-2s. Probably a little overkill but I had transitioned from a poor junior-enlisted guy to a poor factory worker. (Poor factory workers still make way more than poor enlisted guys.)

From what I've heard.... if you're a "normal" employee at a company that you don't own (like, you turn the burgers at McDonalds or you do TPS reports at Initech or Penetrode or wherever) then you can send W-2s. However, if you're self-employed or have some other kind of business ventures that you gain most of your income from then you need to submit transcripts.

I'm not 100% sure on the exact specs for what you're required to submit but I know if you claim you make X on your I-134 then you better be able to support it with either a W-2 from an employer(s) or transcripts from the IRS.

Saavy?

We have used returns all the way through. If they ask for either should be your choice. Besdies they can check with IRS easy enough to see whether you did in fact file. If someone shows up with bogus returns they claim they file helps the USCIS set you up for citizenship denial and potential fraud.

He is technically correct, the best kind of correct. (Futurama anyone?). I guess I should have just asked if transcripts being preferred over returns has any real merit to it.

Neither is preferred. It is your choice.