Tax Return vs. IRS Tax Transcripts

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

6 minutes ago, Chris and ZhiJia said:

The I-134 is his attestation to current income, which is supported by the transcripts.

 

Per the I-134 instructions

 

Yes but it also says

"Evidence should consist of copies of any of the documents listed below that apply to your situation. Failure to provide evidence of sufficient income or financial resources may result in the denial of the foreign national’s application for a visa or his or her removal from the United States. Submit in duplicate evidence of income and resources, as appropriate:

A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions with deposits, identifying the following details regarding the account: (1) Date account opened; (2) Total amount deposited for the past year; and (3) Present balance."

 

A is also appropriate and applies to OP's situation and would further show continuing income.

I was asking you cause I thought there was some special reason why this was circumvented in China since I'm not familiar with the embassy.

[Chris and ZhiJia 146]

9 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

Yes but it also says

"Evidence should consist of copies of any of the documents listed below that apply to your situation. Failure to provide evidence of sufficient income or financial resources may result in the denial of the foreign national’s application for a visa or his or her removal from the United States. Submit in duplicate evidence of income and resources, as appropriate:

A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions with deposits, identifying the following details regarding the account: (1) Date account opened; (2) Total amount deposited for the past year; and (3) Present balance."

 

A is also appropriate and applies to OP's situation and would further show continuing income.

I was asking you cause I thought there was some special reason why this was circumvented in China since I'm not familiar with the embassy.

Totally understand. China's request is as follows.

 

Quote

□ AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT (I-134) AND EVIDENCE OF INCOME:

The Consulate requires evidence that demonstrates that you and the members of your family who will accompany you are not likely to become public charges after immigrating to the United States.

 

         A sponsor must submit: a) an original, signed I-134, b) proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residence and c) evidence of sustained income or financial resources, such as a job letter, pay stubs, a bank letter, or forms 1040 and W2 for the most recent taxable year.

 

         Even if you submit this documentation, a consular official may at any time require additional evidence to determine your eligibility.

I went through the process, collecting employment letters, pay stubs, bank letter, and transcripts. They took only the most recent 3 years of transcripts, and the I-134, they never looked at the Employment letter, Bank letter, or Pay stub, they picked them out of the packet, handed them to my Wife and said these are not needed. The key in their wording is the word "or" they apparently live and die by this word, because if you provide all, it seems to be a standard track record that they only take the most useful (transcripts).

 

To the OP:

 

If you want a glimpse at what you will need for Packet 4 for China, here is the official document.

 

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/cn/K1 Visa Instructions Sept. 2016.pdf

Edited January 4, 2017 by Chris and ZhiJia

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

7 minutes ago, Chris and ZhiJia said:

Totally understand. China's request is as follows.

 

I went through the process, collecting employment letters, pay stubs, bank letter, and transcripts. They took only the most recent 3 years of transcripts, and the I-134, they never looked at the Employment letter, Bank letter, or Pay stub, they picked them out of the packet, handed them to my Wife and said these are not needed.

OK well that makes more sense  Many consulates seem to officially require one thing and then ask for another (based on VJ'ers stories). SO although the likelihood of OP being asked for it and whether his fiancée should have them with her are always two different things. I think it's a good idea to advise on the side of caution since no one can guarantee what OP's experience will be

 

edit: not ask for "another" lol but some of it I guess is better put..

Edited January 4, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[Chris and ZhiJia 146]

5 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

OK well that makes more sense  Many consulates seem to officially require one thing and then ask for another (based on VJ'ers stories). SO although the likelihood of OP being asked for it and whether his fiancée should have them with her are always two different things. I think it's a good idea to advise on the side of caution since no one can guarantee what OP's experience will be

 

edit: not ask for "another" lol but some of it I guess is better put..

Yeah, it never hurts to provide extra. One of the most important unwritten things for China, is to be in Guangzhou with your Fiance(e) at the time of the interview. Give them your passport to carry inside, and when asked about the last time you saw each other, or how many times they visited. They can then open the passport, as proof of current visit, and check the stamps for number of visits. My Wife did this, and the CO smiled, and told her, thank you, but that is enough. She never made it past the second visit stamp. To the Guangzhou CO's being physically present (even outside of the building) at the time of the interview, is a HUGE step in proving the relationship is real.

[Dutchster 1,106]

A transcript actually provides all the information you need from your tax return, w2's, 1040's etc. This might help you out, too. It explains what you can add to your affidavit of support (both I-134 and I-864)

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

1 minute ago, Dutchster said:

A transcript actually provides all the information you need from your tax return, w2's, 1040's etc. This might help you out, too. It explains what you can add to your affidavit of support (both I-134 and I-864)

Yes and this is why it's the obvious choice for someone self-employed  where information provided by an employer (tax withholding) is not available or stated by the sponsor themselves.

[ShanghaiSurfer 135]

7 hours ago, Chris and ZhiJia said:

As someone who just recently (past 8 months) filed through Guangzhou, You don't need all of that information. I sent my now Wife the past 4 years of Tax Transcripts from https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript. When she arrived for the interview, they gave back the 4 year old transcript and said thank you, but this one is not needed. You can choose the online transcript, and just print it out, it's the same as if you were to have it mailed.

 

The information is only submitted during the interview as part of P4, it is not needed for Packet 3.

Thank you for the advice. This is very helpful. My guess is she will be interviewing in May based on current timelines. I'm assuming they will not expect you to have 2016 taxes if interviewing in May. 

 

I will print the transcripts for 2013, 2014, 2015. Assuming this is preferred as it shows you didn't "adjust" the tax returns. However, I do have an issue for 2014 tax year as it was amended. According to the link you provide it says the transcripts are only provided for what was initially filed and not any amended returns. My accountant made a mistake in 2014 so if I provide the tax transcripts and pretend this was my income it would be fraud. So do I get 2014 transcript and attach my amended return (no transcripts). 

 

[ShanghaiSurfer 135]

7 hours ago, Chris and ZhiJia said:

Yeah, it never hurts to provide extra. One of the most important unwritten things for China, is to be in Guangzhou with your Fiance(e) at the time of the interview. Give them your passport to carry inside, and when asked about the last time you saw each other, or how many times they visited. They can then open the passport, as proof of current visit, and check the stamps for number of visits. My Wife did this, and the CO smiled, and told her, thank you, but that is enough. She never made it past the second visit stamp. To the Guangzhou CO's being physically present (even outside of the building) at the time of the interview, is a HUGE step in proving the relationship is real.

Actually I'm a bit concerned in regards to giving her my passport. We have known each other for over 8 years (I've lived in Shanghai for over 13 years now). She works in the same company so we see each other practically everyday for those years and have been a couple for four years. So there should be no question since I live in same city and work in same office about how often. Almost everyday for past four years since we've been a couple.

 

However what that does bring up is possible "Domicile" issue. So I was planning on moving back to USA before her interview to show we are indeed moving to America. The good part all of my income has always been paid out of USA. I've never been paid in China. 

[Chris and ZhiJia 146]

1 hour ago, ShanghaiSurfer said:

Thank you for the advice. This is very helpful. My guess is she will be interviewing in May based on current timelines. I'm assuming they will not expect you to have 2016 taxes if interviewing in May. 

 

I will print the transcripts for 2013, 2014, 2015. Assuming this is preferred as it shows you didn't "adjust" the tax returns. However, I do have an issue for 2014 tax year as it was amended. According to the link you provide it says the transcripts are only provided for what was initially filed and not any amended returns. My accountant made a mistake in 2014 so if I provide the tax transcripts and pretend this was my income it would be fraud. So do I get 2014 transcript and attach my amended return (no transcripts). 

 

My wife interviewed in April 2016, and they wanted my 2015 return, the final cut off date for tax filing is April, so you best make sure you send your 2016 return, otherwise you will get an RFE.

[Chris and ZhiJia 146]

31 minutes ago, ShanghaiSurfer said:

Actually I'm a bit concerned in regards to giving her my passport. We have known each other for over 8 years (I've lived in Shanghai for over 13 years now). She works in the same company so we see each other practically everyday for those years and have been a couple for four years. So there should be no question since I live in same city and work in same office about how often. Almost everyday for past four years since we've been a couple.

 

However what that does bring up is possible "Domicile" issue. So I was planning on moving back to USA before her interview to show we are indeed moving to America. The good part all of my income has always been paid out of USA. I've never been paid in China. 

Unfortunately I have zero knowledge on this, but some others are bound to see this and respond, I also recommend posting in the China section, the are several who frequent there that I know can definitely answer this for you. 

 

As for concern about letting her carry your passport into the consulate, of you don't trust her to do this, why get married?

 

I trust my wife with my passport, drivers license, credit cards, bank account, and even my life.

Edited January 5, 2017 by Chris and ZhiJia
Additional info

[ShanghaiSurfer 135]

19 minutes ago, Chris and ZhiJia said:

Unfortunately I have zero knowledge on this, but some others are bound to see this and respond, I also recommend posting in the China section, the are several who frequent there that I know can definitely answer this for you. 

 

As for concern about letting her carry your passport into the consulate, of you don't trust her to do this, why get married?

 

I trust my wife with my passport, drivers license, credit cards, bank account, and even my life.

Sorry but I take great offense to your comment. When did I ever say I don't trust my fiancée? And in fact yes she does keep my passport! All the time except when I'm traveling. You completely misread my post. I never even used the word trust or inferred that I don't trust her.

 

I said my case was different because I live on China for 13 years. If the officer sees her with my passport it will show I'm in China and not back in the states. This raises domicile concern. That has nothing to do with her. Domicile is a serious issue. 

 

I completely understand why people who are not living in the same city for years would want to show the officer their fiancé passport. My whole point was this could actually have the opposite effect in my case. 

 

Hope that clears it up.

 

 

Edited January 5, 2017 by ShanghaiSurfer
Wrong spelling. Grammar.

[Chris and ZhiJia 146]

3 minutes ago, ShanghaiSurfer said:

Sorry but I take great offense to your comment. When did I ever say I don't trust my fiancée? And in fact yes she does keep my passport! All the time except when I'm traveling. You completely misread my post. I never even used the word trust or inferred that I don't trust her.

 

I said my case was different because I live on China for 13 years. If the officer sees her with my passport it will show I'm in China and not back in the states. This raises domicile concern. That has nothing to do with her. Domicile is a serious issue. 

 

I completely understand why why people who are not living in the same city for years would want to show the officer their fiancé visa. My whole point was this could actually have the opposite effect in my case. 

 

Hope Le that clears it up.

 

sorry to have misunderstood your original intent. But to clarify, my wife carried my passport in, while I was in China, the question of domicile was never raised. They won't look at your passport, it's just merely a token to show you are there supporting her during one of the most important times in her life. 

 

I don't even believe they are allowed to take possession of your passport from her without your direct permission.

Edited January 5, 2017 by Chris and ZhiJia

[ShanghaiSurfer 135]

36 minutes ago, Chris and ZhiJia said:

My wife interviewed in April 2016, and they wanted my 2015 return, the final cut off date for tax filing is April, so you best make sure you send your 2016 return, otherwise you will get an RFE.

 

Thats good to know. Thank you. Also presents me with a problem. For people living overseas our taxes are due in June not April (Federal government gives us automatic extension). Lately my taxes are complicated (over 400 pages) so get extension until December. I just filed for 2015 a few weeks ago as an example.

 

No way I would be able to file until Fall at earliest for 2016 tax year. That's why I was suggesting I write a summary on top so the officer can understand my situation better. I can't expect her to explain our great tax system (sarcasm) to the officer. Do you suggest I do that?

 

Regretting I didn't file for DCF now which only takes 3 months compared to 6 months + for K1. And you are able to attend the interview in DCF. And she gets green card upon arrival. Stupid mistake on my part.

 

Thank you for your help.

 

 

[ShanghaiSurfer 135]

22 minutes ago, Chris and ZhiJia said:

sorry to have misunderstood your original intent. But to clarify, my wife carried my passport in, while I was in China, the question of domicile was never raised. They won't look at your passport, it's just merely a token to show you are there supporting her during one of the most important times in her life. 

 

I don't even believe they are allowed to take possession of your passport from her without your direct permission.

No worries. I'm sure you would be defensive if someone questioned your relationship with your wife as well. I guess it just proves it real. Haha. 

 

Were you living in China long term when she had the interview or just visiting? They will have my history in their files of living in China over a decade. If anybody else reading this post has experience living in the country where fiancé is from can share their experience on domicile it would be much appreciated.

 

Appreciate your help especially considering you recently went through the process in Guangzhou. I can't thank you enough. 

[ShanghaiSurfer 135]

10 hours ago, Suss&Camm said:

Yes but it also says

"Evidence should consist of copies of any of the documents listed below that apply to your situation. Failure to provide evidence of sufficient income or financial resources may result in the denial of the foreign national’s application for a visa or his or her removal from the United States. Submit in duplicate evidence of income and resources, as appropriate:

A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions with deposits, identifying the following details regarding the account: (1) Date account opened; (2) Total amount deposited for the past year; and (3) Present balance."

 

A is also appropriate and applies to OP's situation and would further show continuing income.

I was asking you cause I thought there was some special reason why this was circumvented in China since I'm not familiar with the embassy.

I know it says to get a bank officer to say when account opened, depositis, etc. Can I just give them my original bank statements? I'm worried I have to go to my bank to get it done which is not easy for me since I live in China currently. Hoping my original bank statements which show deposit is and balance will be sufficiently.