How many years' worth of tax transcripts are needed?

[YoungRL 4]

Hello all,

I'm preparing for the NVC step and I'm wondering how many tax transcripts I should request from the IRS to submit as part of the AOS package. The NVC Process wiki article says that either the last year, or the last three years can be submitted. The last year is the only year of the past three where I was making enough to meet the financial requirements for sponsorship, so I'm thinking I should only submit that one. Anyone have any advice?

[clairebear24 3]

It's best to include for all 3 years even if you didn't make enough, just to establish that you've been working. My joint sponsor didn't make enough for 2013 but I still included his transcript.

[YoungRL 4]

It's best to include for all 3 years even if you didn't make enough, just to establish that you've been working. My joint sponsor didn't make enough for 2013 but I still included his transcript.

Thank you! If there's one thing I've noticed about this process it's that it's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it!

[clairebear24 3]

Exactly! I brought so much during my husband's interview and some weren't even looked at nor requested but it's better to have them just in case! It'll be easier in the end! Good luck and God bless!

Exactly! I brought so much during my husband's interview and some weren't even looked at nor requested but it's better to have them just in case! It'll be easier in the end! Good luck and God bless!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hello all,

I'm preparing for the NVC step and I'm wondering how many tax transcripts I should request from the IRS to submit as part of the AOS package. The NVC Process wiki article says that either the last year, or the last three years can be submitted. The last year is the only year of the past three where I was making enough to meet the financial requirements for sponsorship, so I'm thinking I should only submit that one. Anyone have any advice?

If you read the instructions that go with form I-864...

"You must provide either an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) transcript or a photocopy from your own records of your Federal individual income tax return for the most recent tax year. If you believe additional returns may help you to establish your ability to maintain sufficient income, you may submit transcripts or photocopies of your Federal individual income tax returns for the three most recent years."

I don't think your previous two show you made sufficient income and do not particularly boost your case. I would only send three if the two previous were significantly better and 2015 was the weakest.

Edited September 9, 2016 by Nich-Nick

[bcking 3,157]

I'm only planning to submit my most recent because that is what the instructions say. Further tax returns are only to "bolster" your case. My return from last year made well over so I'm just using that one.

For the "Current Income" I am putting my salary for this year (I'm salaried) and it is substantially higher than last year (Went from a MD Resident income to an MD Attending income). Should I include something as evidence for my higher income? My Resident income still met the requirements, but I'm just not sure if they will think it's suspicious that my income more than doubled? I could like give copies of recent biweekly payslips or something?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I'm only planning to submit my most recent because that is what the instructions say. Further tax returns are only to "bolster" your case. My return from last year made well over so I'm just using that one.

For the "Current Income" I am putting my salary for this year (I'm salaried) and it is substantially higher than last year (Went from a MD Resident income to an MD Attending income). Should I include something as evidence for my higher income? My Resident income still met the requirements, but I'm just not sure if they will think it's suspicious that my income more than doubled? I could like give copies of recent biweekly payslips or something?

If you have evidence to submit of your attending income like a letter from employer or employment contract, then claim the current higher income. Six months of payslips is also suggested in the instructions as a way to show current income. I think they look at hard evidence and don't get into suspicion and conjecture.

Edited September 9, 2016 by Nich-Nick

[YoungRL 4]

If you read the instructions that go with form I-864...

"You must provide either an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) transcript or a photocopy from your own records of your Federal individual income tax return for the most recent tax year. If you believe additional returns may help you to establish your ability to maintain sufficient income, you may submit transcripts or photocopies of your Federal individual income tax returns for the three most recent years."

I don't think your previous two show you made sufficient income and do not particularly boost your case. I would only send three if the two previous were significantly better and 2015 was the weakest.

Ah! That makes sense. 2015 was definitely the strongest, as I was at this point no longer a student and finally working full time. 2015 only it is, then. Thank you for the info!