Here is an interesting email I got from fastk3.com lawyer just now.

"your questions in this regard (certified copies of tax returns) are not
silly at all, and I appreciate your research and information on this
topic.

You are correct that the document (Embassy list of things to prepare) does
not talk of CR1 specifically. The problem is that CR1 is not mentioned
specifically in this special regard anywhere, that is why we find it
difficult to get 100% reliable info about this special case.

However, it is important to note that CR1 is actually the same as an IR
visa (which is mentioned in that document), with the only difference that
CR1 is issued instead of IR if the spouses have been married for less than
2 years. Also, IR and CR1 are usually mentioned together in official
documents from USCIS and called IR/CR1 visa. Therefore we assume that the
same rules that are valid for IR also apply to CR1.

So as a certified copy is required for IR, in our opinion it must also be
required for CR1.


You are right that the I-864 does only require a normal photocopy of the
tax return when you file it with the NVC at the US. This does not
necessarily mean that this will also suffice for the visa interview in
Manila, especially as the preparation list issued by the Embassy in Manila
specifically requests certified copies for IR visas, of which the CR1 is a
sub-category.

So unless you receive specific information directly from the US Embassy in
Manila stating that they dont require certified copies of your co-sponsors
tax return (at least for the most recent one), I would suggest to get a
certified copy.

It can be applied for by your co-sponsor with a form downloadable from the
IRS under this link:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf

The information you got on the webforums may be correct, and maybe the
consular officer would indeed not ask for a certified copy. However, based
on the documents issued by the Manila Embassy, we think that a certified
copy is required, and that the safe thing to do here would be to show up
to the interview with a certified copy of your co-sponsors most recent tax
return."

We already established a CO SPONSOR doesnt need certified copies of his tax returns right? Or me for that matter. So what the heck is she saying here? The link is to request tax returns, my co sponsor has them already and they are not certified and I dont think they have to be. This crap from fastk3.com is really pissing me off and confusing me. I thought we were talking about the I-864 has to be certified. Now, ugh..

Ok so neither a co sponsor or primary sponsor needs to get certified copies of either tax papers or I-864's correct? I didnt see anywhere that required it, but she is going off the IR1 checklist and somehow molding them together.

I am getting too close to fool around with this anymore. Give me some straight up answers to all this nonesense so I can donfirm my feelings or deny them.

And how about notary? Any of that paperwork have to be notarized? The I-864 or tax papers? To bring to the CR1 interview in Manila?

Thanks in advance and hopefully the last time

Orimai

Firstly, I have to have a chuckle with the fastk3.com lawyer so excuse me.......

"The problem is that CR1 is not mentioned
specifically in this special regard anywhere, that is why we find it
difficult to get 100% reliable info about this special case."

"Therefore we assume that the
same rules that are valid for IR also apply to CR1."

orimai

The check lists that are either available on the Consulate website, or that are sent out from the Consulate are generic which is why they list everything, including what has already been submitted to NVC. At one stage what is now done through NVC used to be done through the Consulates. The checklist in most cases from Consulates has been written with the entire process being done through the Consulate in mind. One only needs to take note of what hasn't already been submitted to NVC. Updated tax returns can be required by the Consulate depending on when the interview takes place, if it is past the last filing date for this particular tax year. I'm sorry, I'm not 100% of that cut off date, but I think its April 15. e.g. My husband submitted up to 2204 tax return to the NVC in Feb 2006, my interview was in June so therefore the Consulate requested the 2005 tax return at the interview.

As for whether or not Manila will require certified copies of any tax return if they request the most recent (2006), I cannot say for certain, so I will leave that to someone who has direct experience or knowledge of Manila. Consulates can vary, and do, in their requirements.

Hope that helps some.

Oh for gods' sake--is this person paid by the word?

There isn't any such thing as a "certified copy" of your tax return. There is a photocopy of your own filed copy that you can make yourself, or the superior( IMO) "tax transcript" aka the 4506. Call up, order your own and your Joint Sponsor's thorugh the telephone menu service. They arrive in about a week. Transcripts will serve you throughout the entire immigration process.

Let your specialty K-3 lawyer in on the fact that CR & IR visas are Immigrant Visas--maybe she's heard of that one?

The I-864 no longer requires notarization.

hehehe I dont know it's crazy. She sends these type of emails packed with junk a mile long and I get confused. Maybe it's just a certified transcript. I noticed a check box on the IRS form asking if you want it certified or not.

What really made me mad is she thinks my case is "special"?? Give me a break. Maybe to her and fastk3.com it is since they don't handle CR1 visas obviously. It only took them 30 valuable days of mine and my wife's to give us that reply you see above. In the meantime my co sponsor and I have copies of our (W2's) and just waiting. 6 weeks and counting!

On another note, I called the NVC and they said our case had not left for the embassy yet. They also said they will be scheduling May interviews the first couple weeks of April.