Last 5 years old tax transcripts N400

[yaya4501 0]

Hello! I filed for citizenship application  under the 3 year rule/USC spouse.
I have been a LPR for 7 years, and married for 7.
i know that technically I only need the last 3 years of tax transcripts because how I applied, but I wanted to have the last 5 just in case the officer really wants them. 
problem is, the IRS could only provide the last 4 years worth of tax transcripts. 
I have 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016. So desperately looking for 2015 but tax transcripts aren’t available for that year. 
we haven’t filed our 2020 taxes yet and my interview is at the beginning of March. 
I still have the copy of our tax return filed with H&R Block for 2015, so I was thinking about taking it just in case, and if we have time to file 2020 taxes take the copy of that too (I don’t think we will get the tax transcripts for 2020 before my interview.)

im sure I’m not the only one in this situation, has anyone had the same problem? Was the officer at the interview understanding? Would they accept copy of the tax return rather than tax transcript with an explanation? 
 

thanks! 

[Dashinka 25,848]

I asked my wife and she did not remember the IO even asking to see old tax returns even though she had them with her.  Take the 4 transcripts you have and a copy of the return you filed for 2015 and 2020 if ready.

 

Good Luck!

[millefleur 5,052]

**Moved from US Citizenship Case Filing and Progress Reports to USC General Discussion**

[Laniakean 13]

9 hours ago, yaya4501 said:

Hello! I filed for citizenship application  under the 3 year rule/USC spouse.
I have been a LPR for 7 years, and married for 7.
i know that technically I only need the last 3 years of tax transcripts because how I applied, but I wanted to have the last 5 just in case the officer really wants them. 
problem is, the IRS could only provide the last 4 years worth of tax transcripts. 
I have 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016. So desperately looking for 2015 but tax transcripts aren’t available for that year. 
we haven’t filed our 2020 taxes yet and my interview is at the beginning of March. 
I still have the copy of our tax return filed with H&R Block for 2015, so I was thinking about taking it just in case, and if we have time to file 2020 taxes take the copy of that too (I don’t think we will get the tax transcripts for 2020 before my interview.)

im sure I’m not the only one in this situation, has anyone had the same problem? Was the officer at the interview understanding? Would they accept copy of the tax return rather than tax transcript with an explanation? 
 

thanks! 

@Dashinka is probably correct but you can get older transcripts by mail. You can call 800-908-9946 and request the years you need and they will send you in a week or so (if precessing times are as they were pre-pandemic).

 

Ref: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript-faqs (Question 12)

[yaya4501 0]

4 minutes ago, Laniakean said:

@Dashinka is probably correct but you can get older transcripts by mail. You can call 800-908-9946 and request the years you need and they will send you in a week or so (if precessing times are as they were pre-pandemic).

 

Ref: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript-faqs (Question 12)

Unfortunately we have tried to call this number and they do not have year 2015 available at all. We may try to file the form though to get the transcript just in case... but filing under the 3 year rule I would only normally need the last 3 years of tax transcripts right? 

[yaya4501 0]

1 minute ago, yaya4501 said:

Unfortunately we have tried to call this number and they do not have year 2015 available at all. We may try to file the form though to get the transcript just in case... but filing under the 3 year rule I would only normally need the last 3 years of tax transcripts right? 

Also see below, where the IRS states tax transcripts are only available for last three years and new tax year, so confused! I guess we could order the copy of the tax return from the irs, but it takes 75 days and we already have the copy of the tax return at home so... I feel bad I hope they be ok with last four years and newest tax return filed and 2015 just in case 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Laniakean 13]

58 minutes ago, yaya4501 said:

Unfortunately we have tried to call this number and they do not have year 2015 available at all. We may try to file the form though to get the transcript just in case... but filing under the 3 year rule I would only normally need the last 3 years of tax transcripts right? 

That is a bit strange as I used this very resource for my naturalization and I was able to retrieve every transcript dating back from when I first filed taxes in the US. Granted that was a few years ago so things may have changed. Nevertheless, you should be ok with what you have, not to mention the fact that you likely provided previous transcripts for your AOS. 

Edited February 5, 2021 by Laniakean

[Dashinka 25,848]

6 hours ago, yaya4501 said:

Unfortunately we have tried to call this number and they do not have year 2015 available at all. We may try to file the form though to get the transcript just in case... but filing under the 3 year rule I would only normally need the last 3 years of tax transcripts right? 

The N400 instructions specifically say that if filing under the 3 year rule you only need to bring three years of tax returns or transcripts to the interview.  It also says that they may not be required for every case.  I suspect that if there are issues with questions 6 or 7 in Part 12 they may want to see the details.

 

Good Luck!

 

D. Tax Returns and Overdue Taxes. Bring photocopies of income tax returns that you filed with the IRS for the past 5 years, or 3 years if filing for naturalization on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen. Tax returns are not required for every case. However, USCIS strongly encourages you to bring your tax returns; especially if you are filing based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or have traveled outside the United States for a period that lasted 6 months or more. You can request copies of Federal tax documents at your local IRS office or www.irs.gov. You may also bring an original IRS tax transcript listing tax information for the past 5 years (3 years if filing on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen). To obtain a free IRS tax transcript, visit www.irs.gov. Select “Tools” and then select “Order a Return or Account Transcript.” For assistance, you can also call the IRS at 1-800-908-9946. If you have any Federal, state, or local taxes that are overdue, bring: (1) A signed agreement from the IRS, state, or local tax office showing you have filed a tax return and arranged to pay the taxes you owe; and (2) Documentation from the IRS, state, or local tax office showing the current status of your repayment program.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/n-400instr.pdf

Edited February 5, 2021 by Dashinka

[yaya4501 0]

2 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

The N400 instructions specifically say that if filing under the 3 year rule you only need to bring three years of tax returns or transcripts to the interview.

 

Good Luck!

 

D. Tax Returns and Overdue Taxes. Bring photocopies of income tax returns that you filed with the IRS for the past 5 years, or 3 years if filing for naturalization on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen. Tax returns are not required for every case. However, USCIS strongly encourages you to bring your tax returns; especially if you are filing based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or have traveled outside the United States for a period that lasted 6 months or more. You can request copies of Federal tax documents at your local IRS office or www.irs.gov. You may also bring an original IRS tax transcript listing tax information for the past 5 years (3 years if filing on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen). To obtain a free IRS tax transcript, visit www.irs.gov. Select “Tools” and then select “Order a Return or Account Transcript.” For assistance, you can also call the IRS at 1-800-908-9946. If you have any Federal, state, or local taxes that are overdue, bring: (1) A signed agreement from the IRS, state, or local tax office showing you have filed a tax return and arranged to pay the taxes you owe; and (2) Documentation from the IRS, state, or local tax office showing the current status of your repayment program.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/n-400instr.pdf

Thanks for this! Yeah I did file under the 3 year rule, I just wasn’t sure in case the IO would want to see more just because I’ve been married and a LPR much longer than that. But I definitely think you’re right! 

[Dashinka 25,848]

3 minutes ago, yaya4501 said:

Thanks for this! Yeah I did file under the 3 year rule, I just wasn’t sure in case the IO would want to see more just because I’ve been married and a LPR much longer than that. But I definitely think you’re right! 

Yes, I can understand the concern as most folks in your situation would probably file under the 5 year rule, so it may be a bit of a surprise for an IO.  I think if you have no issues with taxes since you became an LPR the IO will most likely not even look at them, but of course you should take what you can.

 

Good Luck!

[yaya4501 0]

Just now, Dashinka said:

Yes, I can understand the concern as most folks in your situation would probably file under the 5 year rule, so it may be a bit of a surprise for an IO.  I think if you have no issues with taxes since you became an LPR the IO will most likely not even look at them, but of course you should take what you can.

 

Good Luck!

Yeah I wasn’t sure what option to use so I felt like the 3 year applied more to me since I was married and went for it. When you say the IO would be surprised do you think it could be an issue for the application? Or more like a hm moment? I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s done that (I sure hope not lol) 

[Dashinka 25,848]

1 hour ago, yaya4501 said:

Yeah I wasn’t sure what option to use so I felt like the 3 year applied more to me since I was married and went for it. When you say the IO would be surprised do you think it could be an issue for the application? Or more like a hm moment? I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s done that (I sure hope not lol) 

Sorry, poor choice of words.  I believe it would be more of a hmm moment, but it should not impact your application at all.  The IO may focus a little more on the marriage type things, but other than that, I agree, I am sure you are not the first one doing this.  

 

Good Luck!

[Fahad86 113]

19 hours ago, yaya4501 said:

Hello! I filed for citizenship application  under the 3 year rule/USC spouse.
I have been a LPR for 7 years, and married for 7.
i know that technically I only need the last 3 years of tax transcripts because how I applied, but I wanted to have the last 5 just in case the officer really wants them. 
problem is, the IRS could only provide the last 4 years worth of tax transcripts. 
I have 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016. So desperately looking for 2015 but tax transcripts aren’t available for that year. 
we haven’t filed our 2020 taxes yet and my interview is at the beginning of March. 
I still have the copy of our tax return filed with H&R Block for 2015, so I was thinking about taking it just in case, and if we have time to file 2020 taxes take the copy of that too (I don’t think we will get the tax transcripts for 2020 before my interview.)

im sure I’m not the only one in this situation, has anyone had the same problem? Was the officer at the interview understanding? Would they accept copy of the tax return rather than tax transcript with an explanation? 
 

thanks! 

I also have interview on March 9th and i asked here if i needed 2020 tax return, consensus was the deadline for tax return is april 15 so technically they cannot ask for 2020 tax return since i have not filed it yet. 

[ThaOne 101]

On 2/4/2021 at 12:55 PM, yaya4501 said:

Hello! I filed for citizenship application  under the 3 year rule/USC spouse.
I have been a LPR for 7 years, and married for 7.
i know that technically I only need the last 3 years of tax transcripts because how I applied, but I wanted to have the last 5 just in case the officer really wants them. 
problem is, the IRS could only provide the last 4 years worth of tax transcripts. 
I have 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016. So desperately looking for 2015 but tax transcripts aren’t available for that year. 
we haven’t filed our 2020 taxes yet and my interview is at the beginning of March. 
I still have the copy of our tax return filed with H&R Block for 2015, so I was thinking about taking it just in case, and if we have time to file 2020 taxes take the copy of that too (I don’t think we will get the tax transcripts for 2020 before my interview.)

im sure I’m not the only one in this situation, has anyone had the same problem? Was the officer at the interview understanding? Would they accept copy of the tax return rather than tax transcript with an explanation? 
 

thanks! 

You are causing yourself more stress. If you filed under the 3 year rule, then they just require 3 years worth of taxes. Although I don't understand why you filed under the 3 year rule when you should have filed under 5 years. But take the IRS return for 2015 and if the officer asks, which he/she won't if you filed under 3 years, you can explain. As someone else pointed, it is required to send/bring what the application requires (3 years worth or 5 years worth), but in my case and many others, they didn't check the taxes at the interview and I hadn't even attached it at the application but brought the 5 years since I filed under 5 years because I have been an LPR for more than 12 years. I did bring all 5 years because that's what is asked to bring at the interview but he just asked if I had been paying taxes every year. I said yes, and that was it. It depends on the officer. They ask for 3 years in your case. So don't worry, if you filed under the 3 year rule and they had no problem with that.

[yaya4501 0]

1 minute ago, ThaOne said:

You are causing yourself more stress. If you filed under the 3 year rule, then they just require 3 years worth of taxes. Although I don't understand why you filed under the 3 year rule when you should have filed under 5 years. But take the IRS return for 2015 and if the officer asks, which he/she won't if you filed under 3 years, you can explain. As someone else pointed, it is required to send/bring what the application requires (3 years worth or 5 years worth), but in my case and many others, they didn't check the taxes at the interview and I hadn't even attached it at the application but brought the 5 years since I filed under 5 years because I have been an LPR for more than 12 years. I did bring all 5 years because that's what is asked to bring at the interview but he just asked if I had been paying taxes every year. I said yes, and that was it. It depends on the officer. They ask for 3 years in your case. So don't worry, if you filed under the 3 year rule and they had no problem with that.

Thank you! I appreciate that  I do stress myself too much!