Have you ever not filed federal, state or local taxes since you became permanent resident?

[CentralPark1992 20]

Guys, I do not know how I did this..but I took this questions and answered "No" because for 2 years I didnt have to file taxes as I was a full time student. I realize that I should have answered Yes!!  I have filed my taxes for the last 3 years when I have had income.
My form N-400 reflects my student status but I am now scared about this...as my interview is coming up. I plan to let the officer know about this mistake. 
How big of a deal do you think this will be?

[Going through 5,668]

If you can prove that you did not need to file taxes for those years, it won't be a big deal, just explain and show the interviewer your documents.

If you can't prove it, or you did need to file taxes for those years---it will be a huge deal to the IO.

[CentralPark1992 20]

48 minutes ago, Going through said:

If you can prove that you did not need to file taxes for those years, it won't be a big deal, just explain and show the interviewer your documents.

If you can't prove it, or you did need to file taxes for those years---it will be a huge deal to the IO.

Thanks for the reply.

 

How exactly do I prove that I didn't have an income? 
I mean I called the IRS, they confirmed I have no outstanding payment. I never worked during that time and was supported by my father and occasionally by my aunt. 

I was a full time student in a University and my form N400 does reflect that. 

Edited August 3, 2017 by himalayanV

[Going through 5,668]

2 minutes ago, himalayanV said:

Thanks for the reply.

 

How exactly do I prove that I didn't have an income? 
I mean I called the IRS, they confirmed I have no outstanding payment. I never worked during that time and was supported by my father and occasionally by my dad. 

I was a full time student in a University and my form N400 does reflect that. 

You are not proving you had no income.  You need to prove that you did not have to file taxes.  

There are tons of full time students in University that also  work, so proof of being a student isn't going to prove that you did not have to legally file taxes.

 

Phone the IRS back and ask them to send you a statement in writing.  That is your proof.

Edited August 3, 2017 by Going through

[CentralPark1992 20]

2 minutes ago, Going through said:

You are not proving you had no income.  You need to prove that you did not have to file taxes.  

There are tons of full time students in University that also  work, so proof of being a student isn't going to prove that you did not have to legally file taxes.

 

Phone the IRS back and ask them to send you a statement in writing.  That is your proof.

So I am assuming that IRS will have a record of my earning. They can see that I dont have any earning for the period and can then issue me the said letter? 

Thank you so much for your quick replies. I really appreciate that. 

 

[Going through 5,668]

1 minute ago, himalayanV said:

So I am assuming that IRS will have a record of my earning. They can see that I dont have any earning for the period and can then issue me the said letter? 

Thank you so much for your quick replies. I really appreciate that. 

 

Do you have your tax return transcripts from the years you did file?  The IO will ask for those...you can order them free here https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-return-transcript-types-and-ways-to-order-them

 

You simply need to prepare a self written/typed letter ( a written affidavit dated and signed- It doesn't have to be notarized, but better that it is) stating that you have not filed for taxes due to the fact that you were not employed and a student.

 

IRS can send you a letter regarding no outstanding payment----the other letter above is the one you have to write yourself.

 

 

[CentralPark1992 20]

Just now, Going through said:

Do you have your tax return transcripts from the years you did file?  The IO will ask for those...you can order them free here https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-return-transcript-types-and-ways-to-order-them

 

You simply need to prepare a self written/typed letter ( a written affidavit dated and signed- It doesn't have to be notarized, but better that it is) stating that you have not filed for taxes due to the fact that you were not employed and a student.

 

IRS can send you a letter regarding no outstanding payment----the other letter above is the one you have to write yourself.

 

 

Yes, I ordered the transcripts for 2014, 15, and 16 and those are the ones that I was required to file. I have the transcripts with me. 

Thank you, I will be asking the IRS for that letter and preparing one myself as well. I hope it isnt a big deal that I put "NO" instead of "Yes". 

 

[Going through 5,668]

Just now, himalayanV said:

Yes, I ordered the transcripts for 2014, 15, and 16 and those are the ones that I was required to file. I have the transcripts with me. 

Thank you, I will be asking the IRS for that letter and preparing one myself as well. I hope it isnt a big deal that I put "NO" instead of "Yes". 

 

Putting NO instead of YES is an honest mistake that can be easily fixed by "fessing up" to the IO as soon as you begin the interview.

Honest mistakes happen all the time when filing applications, seriously.  Don't sweat that part of it.  Just get the proper documentation, prepare the letter, and explain it was an oversight on your part *as soon as you begin the interview*.  

[CentralPark1992 20]

34 minutes ago, Going through said:

Putting NO instead of YES is an honest mistake that can be easily fixed by "fessing up" to the IO as soon as you begin the interview.

Honest mistakes happen all the time when filing applications, seriously.  Don't sweat that part of it.  Just get the proper documentation, prepare the letter, and explain it was an oversight on your part *as soon as you begin the interview*.  

Most certainly will be disclosing it at the start. Along with the fact that I put "NO" for arrest, citation, etc and I was supposed to say "Yes" because I had 80 dollar minor speeding tickets in 2013 and 2009 ( they were paid on time, and I have proof of that too..but at the time i thought I dont need to put Yes because the tickets were below 500 dollars). 

 

So thats 2 things I have to correct on my form. 

 

I think I shouldn't sweat it. But its hard not to do when dealing with the USCIS where anything can go wrong at any moment. 

[Going through 5,668]

1 hour ago, himalayanV said:

I had 80 dollar minor speeding tickets in 2013 and 2009 ( they were paid on time, and I have proof of that too..but at the time i thought I dont need to put Yes because the tickets were below 500 dollars). 

Yeah that's ok too that you didn't mention it.  Again with traffic tickets, some IOs make a stink about them, some couldn't care less as long as the fine was below $500.

[ChicagoAugustFile 10]

@CentralPark1992 hey I'm in the same situation. I've been a full time student and never had to file any taxes. However, I said no on the form and my interview is coming up too. CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME HOW DID YOU RESOLVE THAT ISSUE? DID THE IO ASK YOU ABOUT IT? DID YOU DISCLOSE THAT DURING THE INTERVIEW? Im freaking out right now. 

[Ask Away 0]

On 8/3/2017 at 7:06 AM, CentralPark1992 said:

Guys, I do not know how I did this..but I took this questions and answered "No" because for 2 years I didnt have to file taxes as I was a full time student. I realize that I should have answered Yes!!  I have filed my taxes for the last 3 years when I have had income.
My form N-400 reflects my student status but I am now scared about this...as my interview is coming up. I plan to let the officer know about this mistake. 
How big of a deal do you think this will be?

did you had to fix that question at the interview or was your answer correct first ?

[JohnE 57]

Your annual social security statement shows income for every year you have worked and no income for years you did not work from day one.  If you do not have a current social security statement I would assume you can contact the social security administration and request one.  

 

On a side note I joined the Marine Corps right after high school to catch the tail end of Vietnam.  Still amazed the first few years I was in the Corps my social security statement shows I made less than $3000 in a year!   I did not go to college until after I got out of the Corps and used my GI bill benefits.  The years I was in college my statement shows zero earnings.  

 

God bless

 

[robhostein 57]

 

On 8/3/2017 at 10:06 AM, CentralPark1992 said:

Guys, I do not know how I did this..but I took this questions and answered "No" because for 2 years I didnt have to file taxes as I was a full time student. I realize that I should have answered Yes!!  I have filed my taxes for the last 3 years when I have had income.
My form N-400 reflects my student status but I am now scared about this...as my interview is coming up. I plan to let the officer know about this mistake. 
How big of a deal do you think this will be?

I'm sure you will get your chance to rectify this at the interview. The IO goes through each and every question on the application and asks you again to make sure that is the answer you want to give. And even at the end of the interview, they ask you again if you have anything else you want to add or change in your application. You will have plenty of opportunity to change your answer to Yes at the interview.

 

In my case, there was a year I had no income. On my N400, to the question about ever not filed a tax return, I put yes. The reason I put down was that I simply had no income. When the IO came to this question, I offered to show him tax transcripts and such. He did not want to see any of that and moved on to the next question.