n-400. Have you EVER not filed a Federal, state, or local tax return since you became a legal permanent resident?

[AlbertX 1]

Question 12.7.A of the naturalization form n-400 asks:

 

'Have you EVER not filed a Federal, state, or local tax return since you became a LPR?'

 

This is a particularly confusing question in such form. The most common advice I've seen in the on-line forums for someone who was not required to file a tax return is to answer 'Yes' and attach proof of not being required to file.

 

However, almost all answers consider only the Federal part of the question. I want to ask about the state part.

 

I have filed my Federal returns every single year, but some years I have lived in Texas where one is not required to file the state tax return.

Should I answer 'Yes' to question 12.7.A? I'm concerned with unnecessarily raising a red flag.

 

I think this should be a common case, considering all the people living in states without income tax return. I'm reposting this question in hope of getting a second opinion. Would anybody please share his/her experience answering this question on the form or during the interview?

 

Thanks in advance

[Crazy Cat 44,442]

 

31 minutes ago, AlbertX said:

Have you EVER not filed a Federal, state, or local tax return since you became a LPR?'

If you have filed all REQUIRED tax returns, then the answer is "No".

Edited August 12, 2017 by missileman

[aleful 1,905]

Spoiler

 

they aren't interested in state taxes, only federal taxes

 

if you have filed them every year then the answer is no

 

 

[Hypnos 6,579]

I believe a few years ago that question used to include the word "required", and asked "Have you EVER not filed a required Federal, state, or local tax return since you became an LPR?"

 

It made much more sense with that word in it.

 

For example, I became an LPR in April 2013, and my income was below the filing threshold until 2014. I've always wondered how I should answer that question now, since I wasn't required to file, but technically did not file.

[AlbertX 1]

Hi. Thank you everybody for your time. It's helpful for a newbie like me to learn from your different experiences. I'm sure it'll be helpful to other people as well. I'll add mine after the interview.

[ChicagoAugustFile 10]

On 8/12/2017 at 3:29 PM, missileman said:

 

If you have filed all REQUIRED tax returns, then the answer is "No".

Did you personally say no regardless of not having filed tax returns before? If yes, were you fine at the interview?