I-864

[florida4life 29]

I see a lot of people are getting this wrong and getting a RFE from the NVC. Please you must put your total income and not put the adjusted gross income. The two have different amounts so please be aware of what you put for 13a, 13b, and 13c. If you filed your taxes with 1040EZ then you would use the AGI only. The VJ moderators needs to do a example of the new form so that members don't get confused with the new form.

[jennybens 0]

Yes, I just got a checklist today saying I got 13.a.1 wrong. It would be helpful to know exactly what line from the 1040 to report.

[jennybens 0]

Just spoke with an NVC representative. If you use the 1040, it would be line 22. For the 1040EZ, it would be adjusted gross income.

They should make that more clear in the instructions I think.

[NikLR 13,234]

The easiest thing to do is use a tax transcript. They can be gotten from an IRS office same day or 2 weeks in the mail.

[florida4life 29]

The instruction on the form is confusing but then I realized that the income and adjusted gross income amount was different, because when you do a little adjustment to your taxes it changes the amount.

[malamaja 1]

Hi guys

I just received an RFE for this as well.

1) Item 13.a.1. The income you enter must match the total (gross) income reported on your most recent Federal income tax return.

We called 3 times so they could explain what number from the transcript should be filled out. They told us to complete it using the "wages" line. We had already done this and it resulted in the RFE.

Does anyone know which line from the transcript goes in this section?

We're lodging from Australia and it takes a week to deliver the docs each time so I want to make sure it's definitely correct.

Personally, I don't think THEY know what they want. It looks like they've had no training on the new form.

[florida4life 29]

If you look at your tax return form 1040 it tell you a total income and a adjusted gross income. I think you get your total income before you get your adjusted gross income. The reason being you may have paid a tax and they may have affected the total and made that amount go down a little. I think its on line 22 on your actual 1040 tax form. The two amount are different. So don't put adjusted gross amount(AGI).

[joemama5295 1]

You need to go to second page of the document and look for "Total Income" column which should be the 7th line down

[slvrfx576 15]

I had a lot of problems with this form also. I am older than most of you, and my income is from non-taxable sources....specifically Roth IRA withdrawals and Social Security. So I struggled with this form because line 22, form 1040, total income, only shows total "taxable" income. It does not show a person's total non-taxable income. And, of course, adjusted gross income is also useless in this situation. I sent in a cover letter with an explanation and am waiting to see the result. Of course I sent in copies of my 1099-SSA's and 1099R's, and IRS transcripts for two of the 3 past years when I was required to file. If I get an RFE on this I will be calling my Senator ( again ).

[NikLR 13,234]

You need to prove CURRENT income more than you need your previous tax years or tax transcripts. Whatever you need to prove current income is what they want to see more than anything else. The tax transcripts or returns are really just to show you've filed your taxes or to show steady income from someone who works.

In 2010 my husband made more than he had in 2009 but his tax transcript showed a third of the amount. Why? because he was deployed in Iraq for half of the year and US military aren't taxed on their income while deployed. But they can see who is employer was via the tax transcript and make that conclusion.

[Wingnutfish 18]

If I have a join sponsor, do you guys think I need to show my own current income, or just make sure he shows his? I don't have much to show, actually.

[malamaja 1]

I just want to point out that yes, they do want to see proof of current income, as NikiR indicated. However, do not disregard the importance of filling out all fields as needed by NVC. They are very specific in what needs to go in what field.

My husband and I have sufficient assets and income, yet they rejected our form because of a technicality. They obviously care very much that all details be filled out correctly. I don't think they like drawing conclusions on their own. Save yourselves some time, and fill out the form correctly the first time.

[NikLR 13,234]

I agree, they do look at all the forms and numbers. If you're not using a tax transcript you have to send a copy of everything you use for your taxes, 1099, 1040, etc... Even showing how you get your write offs isn't a bad idea. Fill it out properly, triple check all the number and every spot that should have been completed. Be very thorough. Make sure to send proof of current income as well in the form of pay stubs and/or an employment letter.

[Wingnutfish 18]

Do you know if I need to send a copy of my Schedule C (self-employment income) if I'm using an IRS transcript, or does the transcript make that unnecessary just like it does the 1040 etc.?

How many months of pay stubs to people normally provide, and is there a standard form or rules for an "employment letter"?

Thanks.

[NikLR 13,234]

We provided 6, but at least 3 months. An there is no form or standard for the employment letter. It's normally done on company letter head, stating who you are, what your position is, your wage rate, and yearly income.

If you use a tax transcript I'm not sure you need to use anything else.

Edited July 17, 2013 by NikiR