Tax Transcripts

[BughouseMaster 3]

Well, you said the first line, and I inferred that you have completed the process because you imply that you did it and it worked for you.

You may have talked to people who led you to believe that, but it's most likely not true. If it were, then how come my wife wasn't asked for 3 years worth of returns? Because it's NOT true. What if I showed years 5-8 ago? Would that work? No. Because the MOST RECENT is required. If the most recent wasn't enough money, USEM would not care what the other two years showed for income. Why not? Because what you USED to make is nothing compared to what you DO make now. I cannot support a foreigner if I made $100k per year two years ago, but only $5k per year now.

And FIVE different couples, when compared to the thousands who have gone before... not what I would call a statistical precedent. Remember, things change. COs ask different things. And people remember things differently after an event, especially when stressed (as most are during the interview). Glad they made it thru the process, but I seriously doubt a CO took the time to add up all their tax forms and average them out. Why would they, when it's not a requirement?

....

These people have absolutely no reason to lie and I believe them 100% as they told me exactly what occured during their interview process. Put it this way.... If someone barely missed the required amount last year (2012), but made 50K in 2011 and 100K in 2010 and provided the tax transcripts to substantiate that, you seriously dont think that would tilt the balance in their favor? If so, then I pitifully at you now.

Eventhough they ask for the current income, there's a reason why people provide UP TO the last 3 yrs of tax transcripts for situations like the above, and you are a fool if you believe that they wont bother to look at the past 3 yrs. Btw if you want to be nit-picky, 2012 isn't "current" either as we are well into 2013!!!!!!!!!!!

And again, if it WORKED for 5 couples that I talked to, what's to think that it WONT work for us, or anyone else either?

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

....

These people have absolutely no reason to lie and I believe them 100% as they told me exactly what occured during their interview process. Put it this way.... If someone barely missed the required amount last year (2012), but made 50K in 2011 and 100K in 2010 and provided the tax transcripts to substantiate that, you seriously dont think that would tilt the balance in their favor? If so, then I pitifully at you now.

Eventhough they ask for the current income, there's a reason why people provide UP TO the last 3 yrs of tax transcripts for situations like the above, and you are a fool if you believe that they wont bother to look at the past 3 yrs. Btw if you want to be nit-picky, 2012 isn't "current" either as we are well into 2013!!!!!!!!!!!

And again, if it WORKED for 5 couples that I talked to, what's to think that it WONT work for us, or anyone else either?

I never said they lied. But historically, people on here take WAY more to an interview than is required due to the rumor game... "I did this, and I got approved", so suddenly it becomes an ASSUMED requirement, or at least something that will "ensure" approval. And trust me when I say the "Pinay Mafia" severely attributes to the rumor game. What one Pinay perceives can become "law" when she tells her friend who comes behind.

If I were the CO, and you showed me decreasing returns over three years, I'd refer you to the instructions that require you to have a co-sponsor, since your last tax form did not meet the requirements established jointly by our two governments. Averaging your tax documents wouldn't carry much weight with me, unless you could provide proof that your CURRENT income (not last years taxes) is above the poverty lines. Bank statements and employer letters come into play here.

And of those LAST 5 COUPLES IT WORKED FOR... do you know what their tax documents looked like? Perhaps ALL 5 had the minimum needed on last years tax forms, and even though they showed the last 3 years, it didn't matter? IDK And I doubt you do, either, unless they are close enough to you to share copies of their tax returns with you. And as I said elsewhere, a LOT depends on the CO. Maybe the CO wants to see a trend towards income, and asks to see more. But the CO in the next window never asks for the same. So yet another variable comes into play. If it makes you feel more comfortable to carry those extra docs, there is no reason NOT to. Take them. And don't show unless asked for. I know people who took a whole picture album with them. We had about 5 pics. Not saying an album won't work, but it IS overkill. I know some who take tax transcripts, 1040s, W-2s, and employment letters for 3 years. Was it all needed? No. Did it hurt to take them? No. Whatever you think will help you, go for it.

I don't want to be nit-picky. I want to read the rules, and bring what is needed, no more. The reason they only want last years tax returns is because we haven't filed this years taxes yet. If CURRENT income (as you allude to) was needed, then USEM would REQUIRE an employment letter on company letterhead signed by your boss showing income from 1 Jan to current date. But they don't.

[BughouseMaster 3]

"If CURRENT income (as you allude to) was needed, then USEM would REQUIRE an employment letter on company letterhead signed by your boss showing income from 1 Jan to current date. But they don't."

Which is exactly why people bring more to help them and why I posted what I posted. You said it yourself, they DONT require you to CURRENTLY make over the poverty limit, and are very lax on what people can bring as "proof of income above poverty limit" and therefore the reason why people bring the last 3 yrs since they feel it will obviously help them. The more irrefutable proof that you can bring to show the consul that you are a stable enough individual and your fiancé wont become a public charge, the better. Period.

[Hank_ 9,174]

[BughouseMaster 3]

I never said they lied. But historically, people on here take WAY more to an interview than is required due to the rumor game... "I did this, and I got approved", so suddenly it becomes an ASSUMED requirement, or at least something that will "ensure" approval. And trust me when I say the "Pinay Mafia" severely attributes to the rumor game. What one Pinay perceives can become "law" when she tells her friend who comes behind.

If I were the CO, and you showed me decreasing returns over three years, I'd refer you to the instructions that require you to have a co-sponsor, since your last tax form did not meet the requirements established jointly by our two governments. Averaging your tax documents wouldn't carry much weight with me, unless you could provide proof that your CURRENT income (not last years taxes) is above the poverty lines. Bank statements and employer letters come into play here.

And of those LAST 5 COUPLES IT WORKED FOR... do you know what their tax documents looked like? Perhaps ALL 5 had the minimum needed on last years tax forms, and even though they showed the last 3 years, it didn't matter? IDK And I doubt you do, either, unless they are close enough to you to share copies of their tax returns with you. And as I said elsewhere, a LOT depends on the CO. Maybe the CO wants to see a trend towards income, and asks to see more. But the CO in the next window never asks for the same. So yet another variable comes into play. If it makes you feel more comfortable to carry those extra docs, there is no reason NOT to. Take them. And don't show unless asked for. I know people who took a whole picture album with them. We had about 5 pics. Not saying an album won't work, but it IS overkill. I know some who take tax transcripts, 1040s, W-2s, and employment letters for 3 years. Was it all needed? No. Did it hurt to take them? No. Whatever you think will help you, go for it.

I don't want to be nit-picky. I want to read the rules, and bring what is needed, no more. The reason they only want last years tax returns is because we haven't filed this years taxes yet. If CURRENT income (as you allude to) was needed, then USEM would REQUIRE an employment letter on company letterhead signed by your boss showing income from 1 Jan to current date. But they don't.

"If CURRENT income (as you allude to) was needed, then USEM would REQUIRE an employment letter on company letterhead signed by your boss showing income from 1 Jan to current date. But they don't."

Which is exactly why people bring more to help them and why I posted what I posted. You said it yourself, they DONT require you to CURRENTLY make over the poverty limit, and are very lax on what people can bring as "proof of income above poverty limit" and therefore the reason why people bring the last 3 yrs since they feel it will obviously help them. The more irrefutable proof that you can bring to show the consul that you are a stable enough individual and your fiancé wont become a public charge, the better. Period.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

You said it yourself, they DONT require you to CURRENTLY make over the poverty limit, and are very lax on what people can bring

Those are your words, not mine. They DO require you to make over the minimum. What I said was that if your most recent tax transcript or ITR don't show you making above the poverty level, they will require you to have a co-sponsor. THAT is in the instructions. Nowhere does it say "if your income is going down, or you fail to meet the minimum level of income, bring your last three ITRs and we'll average them".

But I'm not sure why you keep arguing this particular nugget. So let's be clear... are you under the poverty limit on your 2012 ITR or trasncript?

[Hank_ 9,174]

[DaRoq 36]

My tax liability alone is "far beyond" the income required for my household size. Still, I ordered all available years' transcripts because some of us still face undue skepticism and scrutiny. The transcripts show an undeniable year-over-year increase in income with the same employer, which will satisfy any sustained income requirements the CO may deem necessary. Basically. I have nothing to hide and [possibly] something to gain.

[Netsikai 20]

When I had the interview last month, the filipina pre screener asked specifically for my fiance's I-134, 2012 1040 and 2012 w2 that's all...though I brought fiance's 3 years IRS tax transcripts, letter of employment, 6 months payslips, bank statements...

[BughouseMaster 3]

My tax liability alone is "far beyond" the income required for my household size. Still, I ordered all available years' transcripts because some of us still face undue skepticism and scrutiny. The transcripts show an undeniable year-over-year increase in income with the same employer, which will satisfy any sustained income requirements the CO may deem necessary. Basically. I have nothing to hide and [possibly] something to gain.

Amen. And as I keep saying better more docs then less! Especially if it will make you feel better! Furthermore, Daven, NO WHERE in the I-134 instructions does it state that one MUST make more then the poverty limit of the current tax year or year before at all! If you can show me where it specifically states that then you would be right but I assure you it doesn't say that ANYWHERE which is why it's perfectly fine to average the last 3 yrs and put that as the "annual income value"! PERIOD !

And Hank, no one's stopping you so you go ahead and do that & I'm sure the world would much prefer that anyway.

[haggarda.versoza 3]

These are the only supporting documents along with affidavit of support form (I-134) I brought during my interview:

• W-2 2012
• Form 1040 2012
• 3 most recent pay slips

They only took W-2 and Form 1040 and Form (I-134). That's it and I'm approved.

Also I would like to share: One K1 applicant who I became instant friend with, her petitioner just lost his job and and she was worried about the income around of her fiance and she shared it's around 15-16K$ last year, you know the last question that was asked to her by the CO? "What job are you looking forward to when you get to the States?" she just answered that question and she was approved.

[Tahoma 2,298]

...NO WHERE in the I-134 instructions does it state that one MUST make more then the poverty limit of the current tax year or year before at all! If you can show me where it specifically states that then you would be right but I assure you it doesn't say that ANYWHERE which is why it's perfectly fine to average the last 3 yrs and put that as the "annual income value"! PERIOD !...

If you think the Embassy is bound by what it says (or doesn't say) on an I-134, you're in for a rude awakening.

By the way, if you know five couples who have been through the K-1 process, why are you always asking the most basic questions about the process here on VJ?

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

BHM, I would wish you best of luck in the process, but it seems you know more than anyone here, and if they don't agree with you, then they are just wrong, right?

Thanks to some of the respected members here, who have been offering assistance for a long time, many have completed their visa journey with little to no problems. And then YOU come along, "not seeing why you say this", imagining that the USEM will change and adapt to YOUR desires and beliefs, even when people from MANY different regions tell you you are wrong... and you still want help? No, you don't. What you want is for someone to tell you you are correct, and your way is THE way. Well, it's not.

I can see from some of your other threads that you seem to enjoy telling those who have gone before that they are wrong, because you "can't see why" certain things are the way they are. I wish you and your fiance the best of luck, it's a slow, patience-testing process, but if you are wise, you will get thru it.

But your attitude displayed here when smarter folks than you try to assist will get you thru it on your own... http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/435297-i-134-submit-in-duplicate-means-two-copies-or-what/