Individual Annual Income on I-864 for Self-Employed Sponsor

[catdk 36]

Hopefully my last question for this part of the process:

 

Our sponsor has been self-employed for years, and semi-retired. His income comes from self-employment, SS, a rental property, and capital gains.  

His income in each of the last three years is more than enough to meet the requirements.

 

My issue is what to put for his "current individual annual income" on the I-864. The problem is that his income can vary from year to year, so while I can say for sure from the SS and rental property alone that it will be above the guideline (and I'll be including a Social Security confirmation letter and a copy of the rental agreement), it's hard to say what exactly it will be.

 

Speaking with an immigration lawyer friend, he felt it would probably be fine to put the total income amount on his 2017 IRS transcript as his current individual annual income. The thing is that his income in 2017 was particularly high, higher than the preceding 2 years combined. Is the NVC going to give me problems about proving that income? Obviously he will not make the exact same amount as last year, we just thought it would be better to put a number that has a clear origin rather than trying to guesstimate a technically unprovable income for this year.

 

We also plan to include a letter from his accountant confirming that he has consistently maintained a stable income, and that, pursuant to his history, it's their belief he will continue to do so.

 

Any thoughts? Is the 2017 income a good number to fill in there, or is it likely to lead to issues?

 

I'm frustrated that this is such a point of stress for me, when the social security and rental agreement alone will be more than the guideline.

 

TIA!

[pushbrk 12,114]

For self employed person receiving Social Security retirement benefits, the current income is calculated as follows.  Take the number on line 22 of the 2017 tax return, subtract any TAXABLE Social Security benefits and then add back in the total Social Security Benefits.  That IS their current annual income.

 

In the tax section, so the same for all three years.

Edited June 21, 2018 by pushbrk