Forgot to scan tax return

[Cccl 1]

I neglected to scan or photocopy my 2019 tax return before mailing it out on March 8. I still have the files I used to print it, which have the numbers already filled in, so I could conceivably print it again, but it doesn't have the original signature / date on it. The wording on the instructions is a "true copy", so while the relevant content of another print-out would be verbatim, it is not, in fact, the exact copy that was sent out. Would that sort of printed-again document be accepted for the I-864 proof of income? The mentions of perjury and penalties on the form and instructions are making me anxious about doing anything out of line.

I know I should just request a transcript for my return, but as my return was mailed-in instead of e-filed, it will probably take at least until mid-April (6-8 weeks, according to https://www.irs.gov/individuals/transcript-availability) to be able to do the request over the phone, and then another couple weeks for it to arrive. The convenient online IRS tool for downloading transcripts don't work for me while living abroad.

One other avenue I was considering was entering 2018 as my latest tax year (conceivable for people living abroad and filing close to the deadline) and using the transcript from that year, which I can do quickly and with a mostly clear conscience. I worry that that might just lead to an automatic rejection until I can provide evidence for 2019, though. And while it's not an outright lie, it isn't exactly honest, either.

Maybe it's my just deserts for getting my wife pregnant in January 😓

Edited March 20, 2020 by Cccl

[nelmagriffin 143]

Greetings!

Try checking transcripts online, if it was mailed last March 8, 2020 maybe it is already available. as you can view and print it.

Reference:

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

[AndromedaIndy 0]

5 hours ago, Cccl said:

I neglected to scan or photocopy my 2019 tax return before mailing it out on March 8. I still have the files I used to print it, which have the numbers already filled in, so I could conceivably print it again, but it doesn't have the original signature / date on it. The wording on the instructions is a "true copy", so while the relevant content of another print-out would be verbatim, it is not, in fact, the exact copy that was sent out. Would that sort of printed-again document be accepted for the I-864 proof of income? The mentions of perjury and penalties on the form and instructions are making me anxious about doing anything out of line.

I know I should just request a transcript for my return, but as my return was mailed-in instead of e-filed, it will probably take at least until mid-April (6-8 weeks, according to https://www.irs.gov/individuals/transcript-availability) to be able to do the request over the phone, and then another couple weeks for it to arrive. The convenient online IRS tool for downloading transcripts don't work for me while living abroad.

One other avenue I was considering was entering 2018 as my latest tax year (conceivable for people living abroad and filing close to the deadline) and using the transcript from that year, which I can do quickly and with a mostly clear conscience. I worry that that might just lead to an automatic rejection until I can provide evidence for 2019, though. And while it's not an outright lie, it isn't exactly honest, either.

Maybe it's my just deserts for getting my wife pregnant in January 😓

Cccl.

 

Why are you so eager to add year 2019 tax transcripts?  2019 Tax deadline is 4/15 that means your prior 3 years would be 2016,2017, and 2018.

 

Just a FYI - To avoid hassle, back and forth with NVC, its always good to add IRS official tax transcripts over own copy of 1040 etc. I would think you are in good shape

if you have added IRS tax transcripts for 2016.2017, and 2018.

 

AI

Edited March 20, 2020 by AndromedaIndy

[Cccl 1]

12 hours ago, AndromedaIndy said:

Cccl.

 

Why are you so eager to add year 2019 tax transcripts?  2019 Tax deadline is 4/15 that means your prior 3 years would be 2016,2017, and 2018.

 

Just a FYI - To avoid hassle, back and forth with NVC, its always good to add IRS official tax transcripts over own copy of 1040 etc. I would think you are in good shape

if you have added IRS tax transcripts for 2016.2017, and 2018.

 

AI

AndromedaIndy, thank you for the reply. I guess I misunderstood the instructions. Talk of "tax years" always confuses me. I will go ahead with the kind of plan you described.

Thank you.

[nelmagriffin 143]

Greetings!

I still think that you are required to submit 2019 tax return/ tax transcripts as it is a yearly requirement, Perhaps it will come as an additional document that they will request from you later on. NG

[Cccl 1]

NG, thank you for the reply. In any case, I think I will request the 2019 transcript as early as possible to minimize time loss in the case it is requested. 

[nelmagriffin 143]

Greetings!

I used to request transcripts via mail but found out that you can actually register then view and print tax transcripts right away of up to 4 years. My mom filed hers Feb 27, 2019 via online and  it was already available one week after. Ty, NG