Tax returns for interview

[Burebista 3]

I am a U.S. Citizen and my wife lives in Romania. I notice that it says for HER interview, the last three years of tax returns are needed. I'm confused if this means that she needs to present MY tax returns, or if I am supposed to present them myself, because when she goes for her interview at the US consulate in Romania, I will be in the USA. Also, I noticed that on one of the forms, it asks for just the most current tax year, and the last 3 years is listed as optional. Why? Thanks in advance for any responses.

[Glynn & Jean 5]

I am a U.S. Citizen and my wife lives in Romania. I notice that it says for HER interview, the last three years of tax returns are needed. I'm confused if this means that she needs to present MY tax returns, or if I am supposed to present them myself, because when she goes for her interview at the US consulate in Romania, I will be in the USA. Also, I noticed that on one of the forms, it asks for just the most current tax year, and the last 3 years is listed as optional. Why? Thanks in advance for any responses.

You do not have to present the tax returns. Just send your wife copies of your last 3 yrs tax returns and W2's for each yr or order your last 3 yr tax transcripts from the IRS(This service is free) and will receive them in 2 weeks or less. No matter what the form states send the last 3 yrs (2007,2008,2009) proving your income and all will be ok!

[LotofPatience 65]

I am a U.S. Citizen and my wife lives in Romania. I notice that it says for HER interview, the last three years of tax returns are needed. I'm confused if this means that she needs to present MY tax returns, or if I am supposed to present them myself, because when she goes for her interview at the US consulate in Romania, I will be in the USA. Also, I noticed that on one of the forms, it asks for just the most current tax year, and the last 3 years is listed as optional. Why? Thanks in advance for any responses.

I think you need a read - http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

Last year tax return is mandatory, previous years are optional.

Having said this, I included 2007, 08 & 09 tax returns.

Loto

[OBX 51]

I think you need a read - http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

Last year tax return is mandatory, previous years are optional.

Having said this, I included 2007, 08 & 09 tax returns.

Loto

We included the previous three years as well.

[HappyRs 8]

For my interview at the Consulate in Bucharest, my then fiance sent me copies of tax returns for the previous 3 years and the last 3 pay stubs. She will come out of the Consulate building with the visa in hand ...

[EllaC 190]

I am a U.S. Citizen and my wife lives in Romania. I notice that it says for HER interview, the last three years of tax returns are needed. I'm confused if this means that she needs to present MY tax returns, or if I am supposed to present them myself, because when she goes for her interview at the US consulate in Romania, I will be in the USA. Also, I noticed that on one of the forms, it asks for just the most current tax year, and the last 3 years is listed as optional. Why? Thanks in advance for any responses.

When she receives her packet with forms for the Consulate, she'll also have some information regarding financial support. As far as I know, only the most recent income tax return is needed. If you make enough money for a household of two, you shouldn't worry. See From I-864p - Poverty Guidelines and see for yourself which category is the one you fall under.

And you don't need to be present at the interview, though it's useful.

[IndigoSkies 168]

I think you need a read - http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

Last year tax return is mandatory, previous years are optional.

Having said this, I included 2007, 08 & 09 tax returns.

Loto

I take issue with this every time you post that the most recent year's tax return is required. When I read the I864 instruction, it say you can just send in transcripts. It makes no mention of the tax return requirement. Even when you fill out the form, it says "required photocopy or transcript." I'm not trying to be argumenative. I just want to know what you are basing this on.

Personally, I have all 3 years tax return and transcripts. I plan to send in both to NVC and ship copies of all to my wife so she'll have them with her during interview if the need arises.

[OBX 51]

I take issue with this every time you post that the most recent year's tax return is required. When I read the I864 instruction, it say you can just send in transcripts. It makes no mention of the tax return requirement. Even when you fill out the form, it says "required photocopy or transcript." I'm not trying to be argumenative. I just want to know what you are basing this on.

Personally, I have all 3 years tax return and transcripts. I plan to send in both to NVC and ship copies of all to my wife so she'll have them with her during interview if the need arises.

Transcripts are acceptable.

Just to clarify my previous post we sent in tax transcripts only of the previous three years and had no issues at all.

Since we submitted our I-864 in February (before taxes were completed) and interviewed in May (after taxes were filed) we then took the most recent tax return to our interview. The officer looked at all of the supporting forms and returned everything except the first few pages of the return.

Edited October 25, 2010 by OBX

[marriedtomrg 140]

On the I-864 checklist, it reads:

The following items must be submitted with Form I-864:

For ALL sponsors:

A copy of your individual Federal income tax return, including W-2s for the most recent tax year, or a statementand/or evidence describing why you were not required to file. Also include a copy of each and every Form 1099,Schedule, and any other evidence of reported income. (This reads to me as a must or mandatory) You may submit this information for the most recent three taxyears , pay stub(s) from the most recent six months, and/or a letter from your employer if you believe any of these items will help you qualify. (This reads to me as optional)

Of course you can send in a tax transcript if the return is not available, and a W-2 doesn't need to accompany a tax transcript. But definitely last year's return OR transcript must be presented, or a letter explaining why you were not required to file last year's return (or any return, for that matter.)

I take issue with this every time you post that the most recent year's tax return is required. When I read the I864 instruction, it say you can just send in transcripts. It makes no mention of the tax return requirement. Even when you fill out the form, it says "required photocopy or transcript." I'm not trying to be argumenative. I just want to know what you are basing this on.

Personally, I have all 3 years tax return and transcripts. I plan to send in both to NVC and ship copies of all to my wife so she'll have them with her during interview if the need arises.

Edited October 25, 2010 by marriedtomrg

[Henykat 16]

I take issue with this every time you post that the most recent year's tax return is required. When I read the I864 instruction, it say you can just send in transcripts. It makes no mention of the tax return requirement. Even when you fill out the form, it says "required photocopy or transcript." I'm not trying to be argumenative. I just want to know what you are basing this on.

Personally, I have all 3 years tax return and transcripts. I plan to send in both to NVC and ship copies of all to my wife so she'll have them with her during interview if the need arises.

I've also read somewhere that an employment letter needs to be sent, but I see nothing about that in the instructions either.

[OBX 51]

Not sure what check list you are working from but the USCIS site states that either a transcript or return is acceptable.

USCIS I-864 reference

"A photocopy or an Internal Revenue Service-issued transcript of a photocopy or an Internal Revenue Service-issued transcript of your complete Federal income tax return for your most recent tax year, or an explanation if it is not submitted. Your W-2s and/or 1099 forms may also be required, see the I-864 instructions for details."

[marriedtomrg 140]

It's on page 11 of the I-1864 form: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864.pdf

And I do concur that in the absence of a return, a transcript is acceptable. I sent in my husband's 2009 1040, 2008 1040 and the tax transcript for 2007.

Also sent W2s, letter of employment and his paystubs for 2010 (January to August, March was missing though.)

Not sure what check list you are working from but the USCIS site states that either a transcript or return is acceptable.

USCIS I-864 reference

"A photocopy or an Internal Revenue Service-issued transcript of a photocopy or an Internal Revenue Service-issued transcript of your complete Federal income tax return for your most recent tax year, or an explanation if it is not submitted. Your W-2s and/or 1099 forms may also be required, see the I-864 instructions for details."

Edited October 25, 2010 by marriedtomrg

[Henykat 16]

I'm using I184-EZ...looks like a slightly different set of instructions there about options if you think things will help you qualify.

Edited October 25, 2010 by Henykat

[OBX 51]

It's on page 11 of the I-1864 form: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864.pdf

And I do concur that in the absence of a return, a transcript is acceptable. I sent in my husband's 2009 1040, 2008 1040 and the tax transcript for 2007.

Also sent W2s, letter of employment and his paystubs for 2010 (January to August, March was missing though.)

Thanks for pointing that out, I see it now. Yet on the main page of the I-864 website it states either is acceptable.

I guess we shouldn't be surprised that USCIS instructions are confusing.

[LotofPatience 65]

Either tax return transcripts OR your 1040 with schedules and W2/1099 are needed.

I sent only my last 3 years tax return transcripts in both the previous filing as well as the current filing.

Loto