I am planning on being the sponsor for my husband, who will be applying for the IR-1. I haven't worked since we married 5 years ago. Before that, I was working in the US. Since then though, I have not filed a US tax return. Is this going to be a problem? Should I have been filing one even if I wasn't living there?

I will be using my mom or sister as joint sponsor. Even so, is it ok that my income is $0?

If you have not earned any money in Canada, it is fine that you have not been filing. You will need some help with determining whether or not the embassy will need proof that you haven't needed to file and if so how to get it. I'm not sure what that part will be like in Canada.

As the spouse, you are still the main sponsor and fill out the I-864 even though the total income will be $0. It is fine for your mom or sister to be the joint sponsor as long as they live in the US and meet the income requirements for their household plus your husband as the immigrant.

Hi Tammy

That is fine if your income is $0 for the past 3 years. If you have assets jointly in your name and husband's name, they may be eligible for the income requirement.

See this posting and other postings regarding I-864 questions.
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=78529

Your sister/mother will have to file a separate I-864 if they're going to be joint-sponsors.

Good Luck,
Matt

Hi Daisylynn,

When you file your I-864 (affidavit of support) you will just need to include a letter stating why you did not file a U.S. return (from item 25, page 8 of the I-864 form):

If you were not required to file a Federal income tax return under U.S. tax law because your income was too low, attach a written explanation.

trailmix-Thank you! Just what I was looking for!!