For the past 10 years or so I have been self employed (with the exception of this year) in 2005 Cheaper alternatives to my products and services becoming available practically put me out of business So 2005
was a VERY BAD year financially for me and of course my 2005 Income tax returns reflect this.
Near the end of 2005 I changed careers back to a previous trade and things are going smoothly, I make more than enough to meet the requirements set forth for Support of my fiancee, However If I show the 2005 ITR
the consulate may have a stroke due to laughter...I have not yet sent my 129F package...it is ready but for two documents in transit from Manila, I expect to mail it in a few days...Is there another way to prove income besides the ITR reflecting my current Salary or had I better hope that the I-134 is not needed until after Jan 1 07
at which time I will be able to file at my current pay scale?
Advice anyone?
Thanks in advance

As part of your I-134 package, you should also include a letter from your current employeer stating when you started, and what your annual salary is. I do not believe they only look at your past tax returns, they also take into account your current employment.

Also, include 3 tax returns instead of one (some Consulates require that). It will back up your situation.

Best of Luck

Each consulate can ask for different things regardin finiancial support. However if you check the instructions on the I-134 you do not have to provide tax returns unless you are currently self employed.

You do need to provide

1. Letter from employer stating current earnings, whether you are part time, permanent or temporary.
2. Letter from bank showing date bank account opened, total deposits made in last year and current balance.


You can provide other evidence such as stocks, bonds, property etc to up your finiancial status but if you are well above the the poverty level you shouldnt have a problem

Here is the link to the philipine embassy, it tells you what is required there for evidence of finiancial support

Philipine embassy

This is all excellent advice, but you may also consider asking in the Phillipines sub-forum. Find out what the CO's have asked for recently etc. I understand that the Philipines can be a little more strict as far as financial requirements compared to other embassies. At least I have read that a few times.

Good Luck !!

Thank you Dwar, but I had already checked the Manila Embassy and it says there that the I-134 should be accompanied by ITR. I'm thinking that its a moot point because the wait times in Manila are very long and will most likely be well beyond the first of the year, So I can wait and use My 2006 ITR

Thats why I sent him directly to the source. The embassy in Philipines.

Everyone has an opinion everyone has advice, but if you want the hard answers go to the source!!!!

Absolutely I agree !!! However there can be desreprencies based on a CO's intereptation of the 'rules'. I personally would trust someone who just did it over a website that can be outdated or interepted several ways.

I agree, talking to people that have just gone thru the process is a great thing, and really helps with alot of issues.

I guess my biggest problem is that alot of people take the answers here as gospel and dont bother checking the facts. I have seen so many answers to questions that were completely wrong or misleading because the person answering was going from their own experience and didnt understand the rules.

I really like this message board as it is a valuable resource in finding information. But (that word again) no matter who tells me something or swears it is the correct answer, I always go to the source (i.e. the embassy or other agency) to ensure that I have the right answer.

Believe me I am no expert and am learning as I go, so like everyone else, I have an opinion on pretty much every subject, of course everyone has an orifice also but that doesnt make them an expert.

I probably should have also told him that after reading up on the rules of a I-134, he should contact the embassy and find out their current requirements.

Regardless all input is appreciated! Thanks!