proof of financial support as self employed poker player

[Harm1307 0]

I assume when I file as self employed, maybe I don't get a 1099, but obviously self employed people do have some sort of proof to show their income through what is reported to the IRS, which is what I would use to get her visa, correct? whether a poker player or some other other form of self employment, why should it matter? as long as I pay taxes and show that proof of income, that is all that should matter right?

[Ontarkie 13,957]

~~Duplicate thread merged, please do no make multiple threads for the same or similar topic~~

[Sirliner 26]

I assume when I file as self employed, maybe I don't get a 1099, but obviously self employed people do have some sort of proof to show their income through what is reported to the IRS, which is what I would use to get her visa, correct? whether a poker player or some other other form of self employment, why should it matter? as long as I pay taxes and show that proof of income, that is all that should matter right?

Novedsac isn't being critical of your income source, just pointing out that the 1099 is what you would use as "proof to show income", as you say. Presenting the I-134 Affidavit of Support with 1040 attached at the Embassy interview can be problematic if you're self-employed and have no 1099 attached. The Embassy requires W-2's, lacking that a 1099 is what you should have. Not saying it's absolutely necessary. But there was a recent post from a self-employed K-1 petitioner in The Philippines Forum that said he got a 221g for lack of evidence from the Manila Embassy for not having a 1099 with his tax return. And I have seen a few older threads about the same thing. I'm self-employed and I certainly plan to have my 1099's stapled right on top of the 1040 so it can't be missed by the CO at my fiancee's upcoming interview.

[Harm1307 0]

I do apologize if it sounded like I thought he was being critical, not the case at all, I am just 3 years into this relationship and onto obviously the most important aspect of gathering all the info I need to proceed, I appreciate all the help and advice I can get. I apologize once again if I offended anyone, not at all my intention, so grateful for this website and feedback from others like me going through the visa process. I am getting somewhat discouraged thinking that it is possible I may not be able to bring this woman over here now, especially when I am able to provide for her and give her far better living conditions than she has ever had in her life. Back to the topic at hand though, I do have a couple 1099 forms to show for tournaments I won in which the casino was required to fill out, largest one being 10.000 dollars last year, but cash games is my main daily income which is only recorded daily through my cell phone poker app. So in all I will have the 1040 form, the Schedule C form, a 1099 for partial income, as well as the Form SE for self employment. I would think if I copied and sent every single form I have to show my income, this would be sufficient in a interview. Am I incorrect in this matter? thanks again for all help

[Harm1307 0]

You must backfile for the past 3 years to show that your have filed taxes as the law requires. They will look at your current income which must exceed the 150% poverty... Regardless of what the past 3 years taxes show, most consulates are more interested in your a ability to support the immigrant now.... Not 3 years ago.. To use assets, they need to be 3x the 150% or around 60k.

are you really saying that in order for me to have a legitimate chance to bring her over for marriage and be approved, is that I can show I made atleast 20,000 a year (not a problem, as I have made well over this) but I will also have to show that I have atleast 60,000 dollars saved in my bank account? I have never heard this before even when I spoke directly with a immigration lawyer a couple times of all the requirements. Somebody please confirm if this is true or not

[san diego 407]

So.. let me understand.. you are not paying taxes and asking help from people that actually paying taxes for you. Am I correct?? Isn't it against TOS A to help criminals?? Is there any way to remove the subject???? Obviously OP is a criminal and any help is unlawful!#

[KayDeeCee 4,892]

Okay, going to try and address everything that has been mentioned so far, sorry if I miss anything.

Owing the IRS will not affect the affidavits of support, so long as you have a payment plan and are paying them.

If you receive over $600 from a single source, then they are supposed to provide you with a 1099. Unfortunately many places fail to do so. If you never received 1099s stating how much each place paid you, then you need to relay on your own record keeping to provide the correct amounts when you file your taxes.

A tax return transcript from the IRS can be used in place of a copy of your complete return. When using a tax transcript, the W-2s and 1099s are not needed. For your situation, I would use the complete copy of your return with all forms, schedules and any 1099s you have received, as you mentioned. They will be able to clearly see all your income and deductions that way.

Not sure where the 150% came from. You need 125% of the poverty level for your household size. If it is just you, single and no dependents, then you need enough for a household of 2, which is $19,662 > http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864p.pdf

If you were trying to meet the requirement on assets alone, then you would need 3 times the income requirement, which is about $60k. Since you have enough income, assets are not even involved in your case. You can leave the assets blank on the form.

So.. let me understand.. you are not paying taxes and asking help from people that actually paying taxes for you. Am I correct?? Isn't it against TOS A to help criminals?? Is there any way to remove the subject???? Obviously OP is a criminal and any help is unlawful!#

No one is telling the OP how to break the law. Since when is telling someone to pay their back taxes unlawful and against the VJ TOS?

[Harm1307 0]

So.. let me understand.. you are not paying taxes and asking help from people that actually paying taxes for you. Am I correct?? Isn't it against TOS A to help criminals?? Is there any way to remove the subject???? Obviously OP is a criminal and any help is unlawful!#

you have to be absolutely kidding me, I have never said I am not going to start paying my taxes, that's the entire point of this thread is that I am trying to officially get on the books and have no problem paying penalties and interest on past back taxes. You have no idea my story and life experience to judge me and call me a criminal, that is absolutely rude. I paid taxes my entire life in the construction business and because of being laid off due to this country's economy seven years ago, I did whatever I had to do to support myself. There is nothing criminal whatsoever in playing poker, and fortunately over the last few years I have become good enough to rely completely on poker, for which I am about to pay taxes on. You don't have the first clue as to how I have helped this woman and her family over the last few years and have fallen in love with her and I am TRYING to do whatever it takes to get her over here LEGALLY. but again, thank you for judging me.

[Jon York 156]

Here's the situation. I am in a 3 year relationship with a girl I met online. I am in California, she's in Indonesia. After a couple years of talking on Skype everyday, we finally met in person about nine months ago and spent a month together at her home in Indonesia. I proposed and we are now set to begin the process of a K-1 visa to bring her here. This is where I have some questions. First, I am in a unique situation of being a professional poker player for the last seven years. This is my only source of income (make more than poverty line of 21,000 but less than 32,000 on average a year). Now while I know it is unlawful to not pay taxes on my income, I have been under the radar as a cash game casino poker player and simply have never filed as a self employed poker player. I do not have any large assets so it has been easy not to file taxes in the past as I do rent here in California. Anyways, obviously I can not continue this if I am going to bring her over here. I have done the research on how to file as a poker player, this is not a issue, but I am not sure how far back I must go to prove financial support for bringing her here. Must I show the most recent year of taxes for last year or do I have to show 3 years of taxes. I have read both. I have been told that if my current bank statement shows less than poverty line (about 20-21,000) then I must show I made at least the 21,000 for the last 3 years in a row, but if I have that amount in my bank account I only need to show 1 year of taxes. Unsure if this is accurate information. If I must show 3 years worth, then I will owe quite a bit in taxes ( I did this on paper according to my situation) it would be in the neighborhood of 8,000-10,000 owed in back taxes, which I already found out I can set up a payment plan on that amount fairly easily to be paid off over a 3 year period. I have no problem doing this for the woman I love if it is what I have to do to bring her over, but obviously I would prefer 1 year of taxes as proof to be sufficient since I could then afford to just pay those taxes off immediately or over a couple months at worst. Also is this something I provide in immigration process before or after she is approved for visa, sounds stupid, I'm pretty sure it is before, but I may have read some forum stating you provide the proof of support after she has come over here with her visa. Anyone with knowledge, please help me. Thanks a million!

You say you have no problem paying your taxes if it can get the woman you love over here. How about you have no problem paying your taxes because it's the law. But you say you'll pay them IF it will bring the woman you love here. I wish the rest of us had that option. Where do you find that option in the law? You can pay taxes IF it suits you! I hope you enjoy living off the taxes the rest of us have had to pay for you.

[Harm1307 0]

KayCeeDee, once again I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart. The information given will help ease my mind knowing that this woman truly can be in my life and we can hopefully start a family one day soon. As with any and all relationships of this kind, you know what a mental, physical, and financial battle it can be to go long distance and to patiently hold onto hope in believing it's not all in vain. Thank you for not holding judgment over me and just trying to help with your knowledge and experience, it really sucks that a couple post on here are making me out to be some criminal mastermind over not paying my taxes the last few years. But as I am no criminal, it will be paid back with interest. Thank you again, God Bless and Good Luck in whatever situation you are in as well.

Edited July 7, 2014 by Harm1307

[Aaron and Marina 24]

I've played poker off and on since 2004...both online and off. Although I haven't been playing lately...not really anymore as well as dropping down limits significantly the last several years, I want to wish you continued luck in your game buddy!!! It's a tough gig, especially nowadays w/the explosion of poker about 10 years ago and the availability of an infinate amount of info on the game....but if you're consistantly making over $20K, I'd say you're good! Best of luck on and off the tables

[Boiler 43,721]

How do you prove current income?

[kzielu 1,147]

How do you prove current income?

Exactly. And how does he prove this income is going to continue ?

OP better start thinking about assets.

[Ortolan 381]

Proving your current income is going to be a job... I'm self-employed too (I don't play poker, though ). As I have no regular job, for proof of current income I showed invoices I'd sent out, in dated order, matched with copies of checks/payments I received from regular clients up to the date I sent in my affadavit of support docs. I always keep that stuff anyhow, along with a spreadsheet of what I make, so I sent a copy of that spreadsheet too. Plus bank statements.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Gambling is never going to be steady or reliable income no matter how you dress it up. It's not going to be accepted for the I-864. Netting the 125% poverty line is not the only requirement of the I-864. The income has to be reliable so that the beneficiary is unlikely to be a public charge.

Go to Indonesia and get marry, file for a spousal visa, ans most importantly get a Joint Sponsor.

Edited July 7, 2014 by aaron2020