Trouble with N-400 Tax part. Please help me understand.

[Dao 0]

Have been permanent resident in the U.S since child hood, am now as an adult and want to apply for citizenship via 5 year residency.

I am having trouble understanding what I need to do regarding the tax part of the N-400. I have been living with my parents as a dependent

with no income so I have never been required to file a tax return. So here are the parts of the N-400 that I do not understand how to respond to.

1)N-400: Have you EVER not filed a federal, state, or local tax return since you became a lawful permanent resident.

2)Document Checklist: If you have ever failed to file an income tax return since you became a lawful permanent resident, send: All correspondence with the IRS regarding your failure to file.

How do I respond to that? I've never filed a tax return because i've never legally had to and I was listed as a dependent on my parents tax return. What correspondence with the IRS should be sent?

I've never corresponded with the IRS because i've never had a reason to. No income no reason to file tax return.

If I answer "no" to question 1 is that fraudulent? If I get my citizenship and they found out i've never done taxes regardless of weather I needed to will they de-naturalize me!? What do I do??

This makes me so incredibly anxious that i'm experiencing a loss of appetite. America is my home, it's where i grew up and was raised. My parents tell me not to worry

but I can't help myself. Please help.

[apple21 953]

I'm not sure how to answer your inquiries but did your parent/s naturalize before you turned 18 years old (assuming you were a GC holder at the time and living with your LPR parent/s in the US)? Coz if so then you don't even have to file for N400. Just a thought.

Edited November 13, 2016 by apple21

[aleful 1,905]

hi

Calm down, relax, if you do need to file the N400 you should answer truthfully

the answer is yes, because you have never filed taxes, you also attach a letter explaining the reason why you weren't required to file taxes

[Dao 0]

@apple21, No my parents did not naturalize before my 18th birthday unfortunately.

@aleful Thanks for the advice. What do you think I should write in the letter should I emphasize what section the letter is for etc..? Do I physically attach it to the N-400 form via stapler? Very sorry for the tedious questions, but I really just want to put my mind at ease

Also given the circumstances do you think it'll be held against me as bad moral character even with my given reason? Is just that enough to give reason for denial...?

Edited November 13, 2016 by Dao

[aleful 1,905]

hi

nope, a lot of people don't work and file taxes. there is no obligation to work to be able to get citizenship

you just write a letter, and when you go to your interview, take copies of your parents taxes where you are added as a dependent

you just say in the letter that you weren't required to file taxes because you are a full time student and you are a dependent on your parent's taxes

[Dao 0]

@aleful What do you think of the following?

Regarding section 12, question 7A: I have been a permanent resident since childhood, I have not been required to file taxes because I did not earn any income. I am a dependent on my parent's tax return.

[Dao 0]

Does anyone else have any input on my situation? Is all I have to do add a statement like above? Thank you for all assistance.

Edited November 14, 2016 by Dao

[foreverbluebird 0]

Hi, from what I understand, since you are listed on your parents tax return as a dependent with no income, you cannot be considered doing anything fraudulent. I would refer to your parents' tax return forms if you need a proof of that.

Just to give yourself a piece of mind, I would suggest to speak with a tax specialist, for example from H&R Block, and find out exactly where you stand.

[Dao 0]

@foreverbluebird Are you saying I should answer no on the form? If I could answer no, that would be a great relief.

[thatsmoi 0]

Hi!

I'm new to this forum but your question caught my eye. I didn't file taxes when I was a full time med student as I didn't have any income and didn't realize that you can file taxes with no income. So I'm going to say "no" on the form and attach a page saying that I was a full time student living off with no income. I'm not sure what type of correspondence with the IRS I can submit so I'm stumped about that part but in my explanation addendum I'll just say I can provide my last years tax transcript to show I don't owe any money to the Gov since I'm one year out from school now and have been working for a year.

[Dao 0]

@thatsmoi I'm not sure if answering "No" is acceptable, they're asking if you have EVER not filed taxes. They're not asking if you have EVER not filed required taxes. Which is why I have such a big headache.

[thatsmoi 0]

Sorry. I meant I am going to say yes that I have missed a few years of filing taxes and add an addendum page stating that I was a full time student with no income. At the interview I'll bring whatever taxes I filed after I graduated when I had a job. I think it's better to be completely honest but to mitigate any trouble, try to explain upfront and say you can provide more information if required. I was worried abt it making me potentially get denied. It I didn't break any laws or violate any policy (neither did you) and I don't want to hold my app up and so I'm just going to submit and work with whatever comes next. So I'm just gonna do it. It's prob not that big a deal and something the see frequently enough (hopefully) ?