I don't have a W-2 because I"ve been a student and I need to do a I-864 for wife

[marriedaforienger 0]

Hi,

I have to fill out an I-864 affidavit of support for my wife, who I just married. But I'm worried. Although I've been working the past 2 months, I was a PhD student before that in England. Because of that I was not working and did not pay taxes or fill out any tax returns and I have no W-2s. I am planning on sending my I-864 with my last 3 pay stubs, and a letter from my employer saying I've been working the past 6 weeks and how much I earn a year. I'm also using my Dad as a second sponsor in case they don't like that I have been working for such a short time. But what do I need to show to convince them I don't need a W-2 (since I don't have any)? I plan on sending my degree certificate for my PhD, a letter from the school saying I was a student from when to when, my initial student Visa to the UK, and the extension I got to my UK student visa to finish my PhD. Is this enough? The main thing that worries me, though, is that I did earn a student living stipend while I was in the UK, but according to British law, that isn't taxable income. Will I need to declare that to the US government now and do a late tax return for the past few years or can I just tell them that I was unemployed (and not even allowed to work according to my visa) and show them evidence that I was, indeed a student during that time?

thanks!

[Darnell 8,480]

One thing you can try -

is to get into a local IRS Office (face to face, in person)

and ask for a tax transcript.

They will issue a report/letter of 'no record found' covering the years you ask about.

Add that to the I-864, with a letter of explanation about the lack of W-2s.

Stick with your plan of 'I was a student, no taxable income during this time period' - make that your leading posit.

Good Luck !