Does sponsor need submit "supporting evidence" on the I-134 if there is a co-sponsor???

[In love 0]

I (the petitioner) have been living in Costa Rica for the past three years, the past two with my Tico fiancé. I have not filed for taxes because I was under the impression that I could be "exempt" from filing because I have been making under the minimum gross income for an U.S citizen living abroad. That being said, I do not make enough to be my finacé sole sponsor for the I-134. I've asked my sister who makes enough and has agreed to be the co-sponsor and has given me all the necessary supporting evidence for my fiance to bring to the interview.

I know that as the sponsor I have to fill out the I-134, but do I need to provide the supporting evidence too? I can get an employee letter from the foundation I work for in Costa Rica and a bank letter, no problem. However, the W2's and Federal Taxes are an issue for me as the last time I filed was for 2010. I am thinking that with a co-sponsor my financial situation doesn't really matter... Will my fiance have problems at the interview if I just give him my signed I-134 without any supporting evidence?

Thanks for your feedback!

[gedaa86 5]

Well, I think you really have to ask the embassy or a lawyer. You definitely need the employer letter. And I don't know about tax returns but definitely bring the 2010 and 2009 if you have them. Please ask a professional and if you can't find an answer, that's ok let your fiance go to the interview with what you have and if the consulate is not satisfied they will tell you what you need.

Good luck

[EndlessStory 53]

If you are self employed then you will need ITR otherwise employment letter/pay stub is good to go!

That's from what I read on other post, hope that helped

[In love 0]

Well, I think you really have to ask the embassy or a lawyer. You definitely need the employer letter. And I don't know about tax returns but definitely bring the 2010 and 2009 if you have them. Please ask a professional and if you can't find an answer, that's ok let your fiance go to the interview with what you have and if the consulate is not satisfied they will tell you what you need.

Good luck

Ok thanks again @ gedaa86, I really appreciate your response.

[In love 0]

If you are self employed then you will need ITR otherwise employment letter/pay stub is good to go!

That's from what I read on other post, hope that helped

Thanks for your response @ Janice&Micah! Not self employed, I work for a Costa Rican foundation in CR. I've been in the process of getting a work visa here (for over a year) but immigration hasn't even touched my case yet, so I am not technically registered with the Work Ministry and don't have any pay stubs... I have a letter from my employer and am working on getting a bank letter now.

[SparklePony 238]

Provide what you do have.

Remember what the purpose of the Affidavit of Support is, to give the US government some sort of assurance that the alien you are bringing won't become a burden on the state. If you provide what you do have, and you have your co-sponsor's info, you should be ok.

[In love 0]

Provide what you do have.

Remember what the purpose of the Affidavit of Support is, to give the US government some sort of assurance that the alien you are bringing won't become a burden on the state. If you provide what you do have, and you have your co-sponsor's info, you should be ok.

Thanks @ SparklePony! That's what I'm going to do and see what happens.

Just so frustrating because the responses (not from VJ) from H&R Block and the IRS are conflicting. H&R Block said that because there is no proof of me making what I've made, I would be considered "self-employed" and if I earned more than $600 per year abroad I would have to file. The IRS responded that if my gross income is under the minimum threshold stated in Publication 17 (which it is) then I do not have a filing requirement.. Bahhh

[Umka36 781]

Thanks @ SparklePony! That's what I'm going to do and see what happens.

Just so frustrating because the responses (not from VJ) from H&R Block and the IRS are conflicting. H&R Block said that because there is no proof of me making what I've made, I would be considered "self-employed" and if I earned more than $600 per year abroad I would have to file. The IRS responded that if my gross income is under the minimum threshold stated in Publication 17 (which it is) then I do not have a filing requirement.. Bahhh

Try this IRS interactive tax assistance:

http://apps.irs.gov/app/ita/app/investigate.action?screenId=s2%40TLC_WhoMustFile_Development_Screens_WMFLanding_xint&ts=1383255040308&ita=Who_Must_File&factId=Who_Must_File&entity=global&screenEntityInstanceName=global&itascreenid=Do+I+Need+to+File+a+Tax+Return%3F-s2%40TLC_WhoMustFile_Development_Screens_WMFLanding_xint&screenEntity=global&entityInstanceName=global

[In love 0]

Try this IRS interactive tax assistance:

http://apps.irs.gov/app/ita/app/investigate.action?screenId=s2%40TLC_WhoMustFile_Development_Screens_WMFLanding_xint&ts=1383255040308&ita=Who_Must_File&factId=Who_Must_File&entity=global&screenEntityInstanceName=global&itascreenid=Do+I+Need+to+File+a+Tax+Return%3F-s2%40TLC_WhoMustFile_Development_Screens_WMFLanding_xint&screenEntity=global&entityInstanceName=global

@Umka36 thanks so much for the link. It says I don't have to file, but my question now is, if I am not a registered worker in Costa Rica (I'm in the process, but don't have permission yet) would I be considered self employed or employed? Keeping in mind the foundation I work for provided me with an employee letter.

In the case that I can say I'm employed, do you think I should print out results of the interactive tax assistant that says I don't have to file and submit it with my affidavit?

Not sure if you can answer that, but I thought I'd throw it out there...

[TeddoMurky721 0]

I also am using a co-sponser and did not file taxes for 2012. My co-sponser and I both provided the same documents, but in my case, instead of a copy of my taxes from 2012, I wrote a letter explaining why I wasn't legally required to file taxes last year, signed and dated it. I suggest that you do the same, just for some extra clarification! It can be something as simple as

"I, ________, did not file taxes for the year ___ and ____ because I did not make enough money to be legally required to do so. I was employed at ________ while living in _____ with my fiance, and made _______ per year."

Or something along those lines. I haven't seen it said anywhwere that you HAVE to do this, but I have seen it suggested here! I figured it's better to be safe than sorry with this kind of stuff! Good luck!

[In love 0]

I also am using a co-sponser and did not file taxes for 2012. My co-sponser and I both provided the same documents, but in my case, instead of a copy of my taxes from 2012, I wrote a letter explaining why I wasn't legally required to file taxes last year, signed and dated it. I suggest that you do the same, just for some extra clarification! It can be something as simple as

"I, ________, did not file taxes for the year ___ and ____ because I did not make enough money to be legally required to do so. I was employed at ________ while living in _____ with my fiance, and made _______ per year."

Or something along those lines. I haven't seen it said anywhwere that you HAVE to do this, but I have seen it suggested here! I figured it's better to be safe than sorry with this kind of stuff! Good luck!

Thanks @ TeddoMurky721 for your helpful response!!! I will DEFINITELY do that. I don't know what I'd do without all the wonderful people on VJ . Have a great weekend everyone!!!