Undecided about the I-134.....

[Moonandstar 6]

I have heard many a horror story about people from guz with blue slips asking for the certified copies of income tax returns....

I have no income tax returns for 2007, i graduated high school that year. I will provide a letter for this.

I had a job in 2008, but did not make more than a few thousand (~6) for the whole year.

This year i have again been unemployed, and to this date have never filed tax returns.

I have never filed for unemployment or other government benefits.

Today i'm preparing to file my 08 & 09 tax returns, entirely for extra protection for this process. My grandfather is acting as a joint sponsor, qualifies with income and assets, but is also unemployed, is 90, and in light of all the circumstances i'm left wondering....

Should i pay $180 for him to get the certified tax returns, or should i take the risk and go with transcripts?

Please give me some input...

Edited December 30, 2009 by Moonandstar

[garfield529 47]

I have heard many a horror story about people from guz with blue slips asking for the certified copies of income tax returns....

I have no income tax returns for 2007, i graduated high school that year. I will provide a letter for this.

I had a job in 2008, but did not make more than a few thousand (~6) for the whole year.

This year i have again been unemployed, and to this date have never filed tax returns.

I have never filed for unemployment or other government benefits.

Today i'm preparing to file my 08 & 09 tax returns, entirely for extra protection for this process. My grandfather is acting as a joint sponsor, qualifies with income and assets, but is also unemployed, is 90, and in light of all the circumstances i'm left wondering....

Should i pay $180 for him to get the certified tax returns, or should i take the risk and go with transcripts?

Please give me some input...

I think you will need more advice, but if you are filing your tax returns now...they won't be in the system for a while, so you won't be able to request certified copies. Most people go with transcripts because they are free...but again, they won't be in the system until after you have filed. Someone with more experience can clarify this, but I don't see why you can not send in copies of your returns that you are filing now, along with your letter (maybe get it notarized) explaining your tax situation and gap for 2007.

I know with my embassy (Guangzhou, China), several VJers using sponsers have gotten blue slips for certified tax returns of sponsers. Some more experienced folks need to weigh in on this. Your case is more complicated than mine to give you any sound advice. Good luck!

[Darnell 8,478]

take a look at your co-sponsers tax returns, see how much is actually tax-able income.

At first blush, the ConOff views taxable income.

If there is not TAXable income, then must to be able to prove up income - and that USUALLY can be done, prior to interview day, by preparing an AUDITED INCOME statement, usually at a CPAs office, and certified by that CPA. Should be about 2 hours of billable time at the CPAs office, to get this done.

IMO, having an Audited Income Statement, Certified by a CPA in the USA, trumps any requirement to prove up the tax returns from a IRS-Certified 4506 process.

But hei - get some other opinions on this, as well.

Good Luck !

[Moonandstar 6]

Ok, gross income for 2008 was 66000, of that 44300 is taxable. No dependents, and they were filed on the behalf of both my grandfather and grandmother. I forget the exact numbers for sponsorship- what do you think darnell, enough?

[justashooter 430]

you're too young to be getting married, friend. especially to a girl you met over the interwebs. you need to go live in china for a few years and meet a gaggle of girls there before you know which one you really want to keep.

do what you want, but take it from a guy who married young, and regretted it later. wasted years...

[Moonandstar 6]

you're too young to be getting married, friend. especially to a girl you met over the interwebs. you need to go live in china for a few years and meet a gaggle of girls there before you know which one you really want to keep.

do what you want, but take it from a guy who married young, and regretted it later. wasted years...

I wouldn't jump to assumptions, especially when talking to someone who first went to China when he was 18.

I'm surprised, i didn't expect you to make such a comment, but it makes sense- i agree wayyy too many people meet online in theis process, in my opinion.

I however, did not. I went to china to study taiji at the ripe age of 18, and happened to meet a great girl while i was there. 5 years older than me BTW.

I've heard the round up over and over again, and even i agree when you say i'm too young.

I can tell you, i wouldn't be getting married unless i was ABSOLUTELY sure i wanted (& needed) to do it.

By the way, been there and done that. & All b4 20. I've been living in China for 1&1/2 years. Also nearly proficient in the language. Had it in high school too.

Now, if you would like to make a productive comment that answers my question, please feel free to do so.

Edited January 1, 2010 by Moonandstar

[Moonandstar 6]

BTW did have another question:

Anyone know that if we interview before April 15 this year, will we need to have 2009 tax reports?

And how long after filing my 2008 returns can i ask for a transcript (or cert. copy)?

[Anh map 2,098]

You will have to contact the IRS to learn when the transcript may be available.

I would plan to submit a copy of your 2009 return regardless of the IRS filing deadline. The USCIS does not operate on the IRS's calendar.

From what I've seen here on VJ Guangzhou is not a consulate where you should plan to meet the minimum requirements. Read up on other couple's experiences there to be fully prepared.

[lostinblue 1,989]

I have requested transcripts 3 weeks after I have filed the 1040 and received them.

[Jia you LuckyStar 0]

I'm in the same boat is the OP and not sure what I should do. I know I need a co-sponsor based on the fact I had no tax returns for 2007/2008(as a student I had pretty much a full ride so I didn't have to work). Well, and also for 2009 I don't have enough(I make enough starting next month, but that's not going to fall under 2009). My co-sponsor has more than enough taxable income to make up for my shortfalls, but he's not related to us(he's a really good family friend that's helping me out) so I don't know how GUZ will look at the whole thing.

Besides the CPA thing(which I don't get what am I exactly supposed to be giving them), is there other things I should be aware of? I haven't filed for 2009 yet.

[Darnell 8,478]

Suggest you get co-sponser asap. re: the CPA thing - ask a CPA, you will 'get it', for knowledge acquisition, you betcha !