I-864 Supporting documents

[ca_poppy 1]

I've been finalizing the documents for the I-864 I will be submitting soon (yay!). I have my tax transcripts for the last three years already, I have some forms from my new (US) employer that state how much I make hourly, and I have paystubs showing my income YTD in both Canada and the US. However, my income last year in the US was $0, as I was in school and living abroad the entire year, so my mother has agreed to co-sponsor my husband. For 2010 and 2009, I was on unemployment for part of each year, and my tax transcripts reflect that. I was collecting unemployment off and on, as I was travelling out of the country to see my now-husband and not actively looking for work, which of course has been documented in our application. Since the transcripts for 2010 and 2009 are optional at this point, should I submit them? Would having been on unemployment reflect poorly on me, or does it not matter since I have a co-sponsor whose income is well over the poverty line?

Finally, do I really need employment letters for my parents? Or are tax transcripts and paystubs sufficient to prove current income? We took over 6 months getting through the Vermont Service Center, I don't want to get slowed down at NVC with an RFE.

Thanks in advance!

[ca_poppy 1]

Anyone know?

[pushbrk 13,250]

I've been finalizing the documents for the I-864 I will be submitting soon (yay!). I have my tax transcripts for the last three years already, I have some forms from my new (US) employer that state how much I make hourly, and I have paystubs showing my income YTD in both Canada and the US. However, my income last year in the US was $0, as I was in school and living abroad the entire year, so my mother has agreed to co-sponsor my husband. For 2010 and 2009, I was on unemployment for part of each year, and my tax transcripts reflect that. I was collecting unemployment off and on, as I was travelling out of the country to see my now-husband and not actively looking for work, which of course has been documented in our application. Since the transcripts for 2010 and 2009 are optional at this point, should I submit them? Would having been on unemployment reflect poorly on me, or does it not matter since I have a co-sponsor whose income is well over the poverty line?

Finally, do I really need employment letters for my parents? Or are tax transcripts and paystubs sufficient to prove current income? We took over 6 months getting through the Vermont Service Center, I don't want to get slowed down at NVC with an RFE.

Thanks in advance!

You've asked several questions, none of which I can answer without knowing whether you are now living in the USA working for a US employer. The I-864 is somewhat unique among forms in this process, in that the answers depend on the exact circumstances. Past years' income is informational and can be considered as part of the totality of circumstances, but if you are currently employed in the USA or in a job where the current income will continue when you move to the USA, then you should qualify on your own without a joint sponsor. You are not "disqualified" simply because you had no US income in 2011. What are the circumstances NOW?

[ca_poppy 1]

I just returned to the US last month, but my current income is not enough to sponsor my husband alone. Therefore the co-sponsor is necessary.

Since I am the petitioner and required to submit an I-864, I want to submit all the necessary paperwork and not trigger an RFE. I know the only tax information that is required is that of 2011, but is it possible that they would issue an RFE for past years if I leave them out? Or does it not matter since I have a co-sponsor anyway?

We are planning to send co-sponsor's tax info for the last three years, plus paystubs. Would they issue an RFE for not including employment letters? I know the tax info is all that is required, but since most of the wikis on here are adamant about including letters from employers, it makes me wonder if people have gotten RFEs for not having proof of employment in the past.

[pushbrk 13,250]

I just returned to the US last month, but my current income is not enough to sponsor my husband alone. Therefore the co-sponsor is necessary.

Since I am the petitioner and required to submit an I-864, I want to submit all the necessary paperwork and not trigger an RFE. I know the only tax information that is required is that of 2011, but is it possible that they would issue an RFE for past years if I leave them out? Or does it not matter since I have a co-sponsor anyway?

We are planning to send co-sponsor's tax info for the last three years, plus paystubs. Would they issue an RFE for not including employment letters? I know the tax info is all that is required, but since most of the wikis on here are adamant about including letters from employers, it makes me wonder if people have gotten RFEs for not having proof of employment in the past.

Everybody needs to provide evidence of current income. You can't prove something that didn't exist. Provide the information about all three years' tax returns but only submit one tax return for yourself. NVC will not RFE for more tax returns than is indicated by the box checked in the applicable section. The Consulate is not going to hinge any decision on prior tax returns that show little or no income. You provide extra tax returns when you think doing so will improve how your case looks, not when it won't help.

[ca_poppy 1]

That's the answer I needed, thanks!