I-134... what if?

[Britt♥Marco 9]

Ok, so filling out the I-134 hasn't been an easy task for me thus far. I've got a few questions for VJ and I may end up writing the consulate to see what they think.

First off, I only make around $12k a year, part time job while I was in school. I have a few job offers that I am looking into this week which will definitely make more than what I am currently making. But I know I need a cosponsor, so I decided to ask my mom to help. I'm getting a letter from her employer and will work on getting her check stubs. Does anyone think I should wait until she files the 2011 taxes or should i just proceed with 2008, 2009, 2010?

Mom barely makes enough to cover for 3 people (on the 125% chart) My dad (separated from mom) lives in a different portion of the house (only sometimes though) with my brother and helps us out with anything we might need. Mom claims me on her taxes, but didn't plan on claiming me on her 2011 taxes. Now, I thought I understood everything- mom would have to make enough for me, Marco and herself. But some posts on VJ state that she'd have to make enough to support 5 people because that's sort of what the household size is (even though it's in a different portion of the house?) How the hell is someone normal supposed to make enough to support 5 people alone?! lol ... don't people realize that we all work together? just like I contribute to the household? Pfft.

Anyways, my questions were this:

1. Should I wait for our 2011 taxes to be filed? (I'd prefer to just get it over with using the other ones so we could move this along faster)

2. How many people does my mom have to make enough money for?

3. What do I do if my company refuses to write a letter stating how much I make? Also, I do not receive check stubs. It is direct deposit, all electronic. Does this mean I need to use bank statements?

Thanks guys. I've been searching through VJ but I see a lot of contradicting answers on these kind of topics so I figured maybe we could all try this again

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Ok, so filling out the I-134 hasn't been an easy task for me thus far. I've got a few questions for VJ and I may end up writing the consulate to see what they think.

First off, I only make around $12k a year, part time job while I was in school. I have a few job offers that I am looking into this week which will definitely make more than what I am currently making. But I know I need a cosponsor, so I decided to ask my mom to help. I'm getting a letter from her employer and will work on getting her check stubs. Does anyone think I should wait until she files the 2011 taxes or should i just proceed with 2008, 2009, 2010?

Mom barely makes enough to cover for 3 people (on the 125% chart) My dad (separated from mom) lives in a different portion of the house (only sometimes though) with my brother and helps us out with anything we might need. Mom claims me on her taxes, but didn't plan on claiming me on her 2011 taxes. Now, I thought I understood everything- mom would have to make enough for me, Marco and herself. But some posts on VJ state that she'd have to make enough to support 5 people because that's sort of what the household size is (even though it's in a different portion of the house?) How the hell is someone normal supposed to make enough to support 5 people alone?! lol ... don't people realize that we all work together? just like I contribute to the household? Pfft.

Anyways, my questions were this:

1. Should I wait for our 2011 taxes to be filed? (I'd prefer to just get it over with using the other ones so we could move this along faster)

2. How many people does my mom have to make enough money for?

3. What do I do if my company refuses to write a letter stating how much I make? Also, I do not receive check stubs. It is direct deposit, all electronic. Does this mean I need to use bank statements?

Thanks guys. I've been searching through VJ but I see a lot of contradicting answers on these kind of topics so I figured maybe we could all try this again

What makes your situation (and many others hard) is that each situation is unique and are many variables.

All the follwing is just my humble opinion and others will likely add/correct it:

If you expect this coming taxes to show a substantial difference for the better, then I'd say to wait; if it's worse than last year, then file now; but keep in mind that upon AOS, (I-864), you will absolutely need to indicate last 3 years (only need ot send last year, which will be this), but they still want figures for last 3 years. AOS is about 9-12 months after you file (realiastic average and assuming you marry soon after arrival), which means you might still have 1 more tax year; which could be better than current situation and then you are good; but it can also go the other way. In sum: given your situation, I'd already start planning on how to work out the AOS.

On 2, I'd think 5 in the current setting, again I go to the I-864 because the I-134 does not have (often) the level of scrutiny the 864 will have. IN the 864, you would include all members in household but how I read it, allows for combined income (others correct me if needed). Since you mentioned your dad also living there occasionally, I'm not sure if that is considered "living in household"; I'd say it will if that is his 'main' residence (again others correct me if needed). In the I-134, you can attach a sheet explaining the situation and how you come to the calculations you made.

IN 3, bank statements showing the deposits (often the deposit would be noted in a way that it is obvious it is a paycheck), in a recurring fashion would do. I believe others here have also asked about letter from employer and statements have sufficed.

Good luck!

[bigdog 377]

I would file now, 2011 taxes not due till April. The longer you wait, the longer it will take.

As a co sponsor she need to be 125% above the poverty line (see the requirements in VJ and directly on USCIS).

If they will not provide a letter (explain why and say its for your finance immigration) . The letter is not a guarantee of employment just that you are. Use the electronic deposit record (maybe get the stub on line) you can show your deposits and statements if needed.

Good Luck.

[Hell0W0rld 10]

2011 tax is required since its the most recent and your interview will be sometime this year after April.

Anything after April requires 2011 tax..

[KayDeeCee 4,900]

Does she also claim your brother as a dependent? If she does, she needs enough for 5. If not, then 4. If she won't claim you on her 2011 taxes, then she might want to go ahead and file them quickly and send a complete copy of her 2011 tax return plus W-2s or 1099s. If she claimed both you and your brother in the past, then that would at least lower the count to 4 instead of 5. If she did not claim you or your brother, that would make it 3: herself, her spouse and your fiance.

Unfortunately for the K-1 visa and I-134, there is no combining of incomes. The primary sponsor or the co-sponsor must make enough on their own. If your mother will not qualify based on the household size, then you need to find someone that will. When it comes time for AOS after you are married, you will use the I-864 and the I-864A can be used in conjunction with it to combine the household incomes to reach the 125% mark.

The instructions for counting household size can be found in the I-864 instructions: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864instr.pdf

How Do I Count Household Size?

Your household size includes yourself and the following individuals, no matter where they live:

any spouse

any dependent children under the age of 21

any other dependents listed on your most recent Federal income tax return

all persons being sponsored in this affidavit of support

any immigrants previously sponsored whom you are still obligated to support.

[Britt♥Marco 9]

No, she doesn't claim my brother as a dependent. I was the only one she has claimed. Also, I assume that my new job will provide the 125% easy for him & I. I had hoped to finish getting the documents now and send them to him but I suppose I will have to wait for her to file her 2011 taxes to reduce the 'household size' to 3.

Thanks for all the answers guys!

Oh and yes, I had asked my employer and my HR guy gave me some bullshit line of - 'its against the law for me to disclose to anyone, even in a letter for you, of how much you make.' he could be referring to company rules when he says law, i don't know. i will try to get the electronic copies of my paystubs.

[FilH 0]

Oh and yes, I had asked my employer and my HR guy gave me some bullshit line of - 'its against the law for me to disclose to anyone, even in a letter for you, of how much you make.' he could be referring to company rules when he says law, i don't know. i will try to get the electronic copies of my paystubs.

Actually your HR guy may in fact be correct. It was always against the law for a potential creditor to call and verify your income when you were applying for a loan. They could verify you worked there, but not your income. It may still be the same.

[Britt♥Marco 9]

Bumping this up, anyone ever use TurboTax and had to get their tax info from them? I have all of my W2's for the past 3 years, but no tax info as I've used turbotax and everything was just done online. I didn't save anything because I didn't know I'd ever need it (bad girl, I know lol) I looked on the site, couldn't find a way to get previous return info, only to do my taxes for THIS year

Also, found out my mom makes $400 more than the 125%. I assume that'll be alright?

Edited January 16, 2012 by Britt♥Marco

[KayDeeCee 4,900]

Bumping this up, anyone ever use TurboTax and had to get their tax info from them? I have all of my W2's for the past 3 years, but no tax info as I've used turbotax and everything was just done online. I didn't save anything because I didn't know I'd ever need it (bad girl, I know lol) I looked on the site, couldn't find a way to get previous return info, only to do my taxes for THIS year

Also, found out my mom makes $400 more than the 125%. I assume that'll be alright?

Just call 1-800-908-9946 to order tax return transcripts from the IRS. They are free and include all necessary info so there is no need for copies of the W-2s or anything else.