Let me start by thanking you all. I can't imagine what this process would be like without your encouragement and advice. Thank you.....


So what qualifies as a tax return? I have filed for the past several years using Turbo Tax. I am a teacher, and have fairly straight forward tax info.

Will a print out from this program suffice as a tax return? Or is a tax return an official IRS document?

Should I know this....probably. hahhaahhaah.

Well, when in doubt.....read!

So, if I am reading this correctly, the tax returns are only necessary if I am self-employed? As an employee I am exempted from this requirement?

You don't need the tax returns..for emplyed petitioners you need the bank statements, notarized, showing date opened, monthly amount depositied, current balance (I think that is all), letter from employer showing amount earned etc..any benefits you get as well like disability should go in there too.

Every consulate has different requirements for the affidavit of support. Usually they tell you what they need when they send you package 3 - which from your timeline, you have not received yet.

If you want to get a head start, I'd go to the 'embassy info' link at the top of this page and start there (or ask in the 'Regional Discussions' part of this site). If you don't find what you need, wait for package 3. If it is still unclear at that point, email the consulate and ask.

Thanks guys,

We got packet 3 on 6/21. All that it says is that they require a copy of the I-134.

I'm just worried about the ticky tack details. Don't really want an error at this stage. =)

Japple,

Yes, you are exempt from the I-134 requirement to submit a tax return as an attachment to I-134.

However, you may not be exempt from a consular officer's request to submit tax returns as evidence that your fiancee meets the public charge requirements of the law.

Yodrak

When we were doing the I-134 forms we made sure we had the tax returns anyway, despite non of us is self-employed just incase they need it for any reason. It depends how causious you are, if you think it'd easy your mind to have them with you anyway if they want to just have a peek then take them, if not it's all good. I'm unsure what qualifies as a tax document you speak off, my co-sponcer sent me what they send her on a yearly basis. Do you get a bundle of documents confirming taxes every year or so?

And Jaylen, on the I-134 forms or at least the most recent one of the requirements is "total amount deposited within the last year," we never saw anything about monthly deposites. But we have monthly statements just incase. Just wanted to mention. And yes it totally depends on the Embassy you're dealing with too Good Luck!

An I-134 is only one thing that a conof may use to determine if the applicant will or wont become a public charge, hence why documents/evidence not required by the I-134 itself are often requested, dependant on the consulate and also the conof at the interview.

Fiona,
Are you sure your co-sponsor is not self employed?


All: The most efficient and tidy way to present your income tax return information is by ordering the FREE tax transcripts from the IRS (can order by phone). They take less than 2 weeks to arrive.

Yes, Andy phoned to confirm at the time he is actually her employer.