So confused about taxes and N400 form

[camerica 67]

I would like to apply for my N400 in February.  This is what is on the Document Checklist that is confusing to me: 

 

4.□ Documents referring to you and your spouse:

a. Tax returns, bank accounts, leases, mortgages, or birth certificates of children;

or b. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-certified copies of the income tax forms that you both filed for the past 3 years;

or c. An IRS tax return transcript for the last 3 years.

 

I have read some posts regarding this and many say that you have to send them a tax return transcript or certified copies. But in front of parts b and c, I see the word "or".

So does this mean I have a choice of tax returns, OR, certified copies, OR a tax return transcript.

As well, I want to apply now, before our tax filing. Does anyone think this is not a great idea and to wait until we filed. (I just don't want to wait another month because I have the funds now)

Oh, and one last question: If I file online is that quicker and also, I guess I send all supporting documents in PDF's. (I have always filed with hard copies for everything in the past.) 

I was hoping to gain my citizenship this year since it is the 250 Birthday.

Thanks in advance!

[Edward and Jaycel 2,452]

Yes you have a choice. USCIS prefers you to send the Tax Return Transcripts so if you have an online account with the IRS or can get one fairly quickly, I would get the transcripts.

 

Yes Online filing is the way to go with the N-400 IMHO and you would scan your evidence into PDF for ease of upload. 

Edited Tuesday at 10:57 PM by Edward and Jaycel

[camerica 67]

47 minutes ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

Yes you have a choice. USCIS prefers you to send the Tax Return Transcripts so if you have an online account with the IRS or can get one fairly quickly, I would get the transcripts.

 

Yes Online filing is the way to go with the N-400 IMHO and you would scan your evidence into PDF for ease of upload. 

Someone told me that if I do the online filing I do NOT have to send the tax returns but only bring them when I have my interview. And you mentioned only the Tax Return Transcripts, but part 4 of the checklist that I copied and pasted in my initial query says, tax returns OR tax transcripts OR certified tax returns. So, it seems I can choose which one I wish to show them?

[camerica 67]

31 minutes ago, camerica said:

Someone told me that if I do the online filing I do NOT have to send the tax returns but only bring them when I have my interview. And you mentioned only the Tax Return Transcripts, but part 4 of the checklist that I copied and pasted in my initial query says, tax returns OR tax transcripts OR certified tax returns. So, it seems I can choose which one I wish to show them?

 

1 hour ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

Yes you have a choice. USCIS prefers you to send the Tax Return Transcripts so if you have an online account with the IRS or can get one fairly quickly, I would get the transcripts.

 

Yes Online filing is the way to go with the N-400 IMHO and you would scan your evidence into PDF for ease of upload. 

Sorry, I missed the part where you said I have a choice. I am hoping that those who have recently filed for their N400 will let me know what they did. It would be optimum if I did NOT have to include the tax forms until my interview. I saw someone in an interview said they were rejected the day of their interview because they had "not brought 3 years of tax returns". They were able to bring the forms the next day and were approved. That made me think that they had not initally included them in their online filing.

[JeanneAdil 7,437]

submitting the IRS transcripts (which would be MFJ or MFS) is a good way to help prove marriage to USC 

at this time you only need last 3 years which is 2024, 2023, 2022 as 2025 is not due till after the 15th of April

 

at interview be prepared to show last 3 years which will be 2025, 2024 and 2023

 

no problem filing online and filing now if qualified by green card PD

[Verrou 1,985]

4 hours ago, camerica said:

 

Sorry, I missed the part where you said I have a choice. I am hoping that those who have recently filed for their N400 will let me know what they did. It would be optimum if I did NOT have to include the tax forms until my interview. I saw someone in an interview said they were rejected the day of their interview because they had "not brought 3 years of tax returns". They were able to bring the forms the next day and were approved. That made me think that they had not initally included them in their online filing.

Always file with IRS tax transcripts. here’s why. Think of it this way: an IRS tax transcript is like a store receipt. It proves that you already completed the transaction. Your Form 1040 only shows what you filled out, but it’s not proof that you actually filed your taxes, if that makes sense.

I’ve helped about 50 people file over the past few years, and my motto is always to overwhelm USCIS with strong evidence to avoid an RFE. I don’t like to “hold” evidence for the interview. I want to get approved right away.
You can file now with your 2022, 2023, and 2024 tax transcripts. It’s understandable that you don’t need to submit your 2025 tax transcript yet since you have until April 15, 2026, to file that one.

 

N-400 is the only form that im comfortable to file online. The rest ? All paper including i-751

P.S. I just filed mine less than two weeks ago too, and yes I submitted 5 years of IRS tax transcript because im OCD and I’ve been filing jointly with my spouse that long

Edited yesterday at 05:13 AM by Verrou

[OldUser 11,211]

55 minutes ago, Verrou said:

P.S. I just filed mine less than two weeks ago too, and yes I submitted 5 years of IRS tax transcript because im OCD and I’ve been filing jointly with my spouse that long

I did that too when applied under general provision. I am a citizen now

[JD2 243]

9 hours ago, camerica said:

So does this mean I have a choice of tax returns, OR, certified copies, OR a tax return transcript.

that's what "or" means.  Only send transcripts.  The rest will add unnecessary bulk to the filing.

 

9 hours ago, camerica said:

I want to apply now, before our tax filing. Does anyone think this is not a great idea

File as soon as you can.  You can take your new tax return transcript to the interview

 

9 hours ago, camerica said:

If I file online is that quicker and also

We filed by paper since it was easier for us to print than format PDFs but you get your NOA1 faster online.  No idea if overall it is faster or slower as not many people file by paper anymore so not many experiences to go by

[camerica 67]

10 hours ago, Verrou said:

Always file with IRS tax transcripts. here’s why. Think of it this way: an IRS tax transcript is like a store receipt. It proves that you already completed the transaction. Your Form 1040 only shows what you filled out, but it’s not proof that you actually filed your taxes, if that makes sense.

I’ve helped about 50 people file over the past few years, and my motto is always to overwhelm USCIS with strong evidence to avoid an RFE. I don’t like to “hold” evidence for the interview. I want to get approved right away.
You can file now with your 2022, 2023, and 2024 tax transcripts. It’s understandable that you don’t need to submit your 2025 tax transcript yet since you have until April 15, 2026, to file that one.

 

N-400 is the only form that im comfortable to file online. The rest ? All paper including i-751

P.S. I just filed mine less than two weeks ago too, and yes I submitted 5 years of IRS tax transcript because im OCD and I’ve been filing jointly with my spouse that long

Thank you for your explanation. Do I have to fill out a form with IRS to obtain the tax transcripts or would the accountant who does our taxes have that. I looked up obtaining the certified copies from the IRS and it states that it can take up to 75 days to obtain them. Are the certified copies the same as the tax transcripts? I have my 10 year green card and am now 6 years out. And again, can you tell me why the checklist says "OR" for tax returns, OR tax transcripts OR certified copies? No one seems to answer that one.  As well, what do you mean by "The rest? All paper including the I-751" ? 

[mam521 2,860]

Create an online IRS account and just download your tax transcripts.  Then you can upload to your N400 application.  File online - it's easier and $50 cheaper.  

 

Anything else you need to upload can be scanned with a regular scanner or use the built in scanners in your phone.  If you wanna be fancy, you can get a fancier app, but not necessary.  

 

10 hours ago, Verrou said:

my motto is always to overwhelm USCIS with strong evidence to avoid an RFE. I don’t like to “hold” evidence for the interview. I want to get approved right away.

This.  Every part of this.  If you want to naturalize this year, then make sure you give them no reason to question your eligibility, your spousal relationship and your commitment to the US.  

[Edward and Jaycel 2,452]

You do not need "certified" copies of the tax transcripts. The PDF you download from the irs.gov website is exactly what you will provide to USCIS

[camerica 67]

13 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

submitting the IRS transcripts (which would be MFJ or MFS) is a good way to help prove marriage to USC 

at this time you only need last 3 years which is 2024, 2023, 2022 as 2025 is not due till after the 15th of April

 

at interview be prepared to show last 3 years which will be 2025, 2024 and 2023

 

no problem filing online and filing now if qualified by green card PD

I have had so many questions and everyone who reads them must think I am stupid! lol. So I found out that my husband can create an IRS account and get the tax transcripts and no charge. Finally seem to have this sorted out thanks to you and so many other who answered! Hopefully we will get the transcripts before I file in mid February. My field office is Philly and it looks like it takes up to 6 months from filing to an interview. Hopefully the officer I had the first time has retired. She was incredibly rude. She was actually removed from my case after I made a formal complaint the day after my interview and I was assigned another officer.  My green card renewal is in 2030 so I qualify! Thanks again!!

[camerica 67]

19 hours ago, camerica said:

I would like to apply for my N400 in February.  This is what is on the Document Checklist that is confusing to me: 

 

4.□ Documents referring to you and your spouse:

a. Tax returns, bank accounts, leases, mortgages, or birth certificates of children;

or b. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-certified copies of the income tax forms that you both filed for the past 3 years;

or c. An IRS tax return transcript for the last 3 years.

 

I have read some posts regarding this and many say that you have to send them a tax return transcript or certified copies. But in front of parts b and c, I see the word "or".

So does this mean I have a choice of tax returns, OR, certified copies, OR a tax return transcript.

As well, I want to apply now, before our tax filing. Does anyone think this is not a great idea and to wait until we filed. (I just don't want to wait another month because I have the funds now)

Oh, and one last question: If I file online is that quicker and also, I guess I send all supporting documents in PDF's. (I have always filed with hard copies for everything in the past.) 

I was hoping to gain my citizenship this year since it is the 250 Birthday.

Thanks in advance!

Thank you to all who answered my questions so quickly. I have it all sorted out now with the suggestions from each of you. I am sorry if you felt my questions were repetitive. I always get so stressed when it comes to dealing with USCIS because at the beginning I waited a very long time for an interview because somehow someone had "misplaced" my paperwork. It was thanks to our Congressman that the mess was straightened out. I also applied for my SSI car and was told that I was not allowed (which was wrong). I could not get a driver's license and I could not go back to Canada to visit my Mom and other family members for over a years. I finally went to another SSI office and found out that the person at the original SSI office gave me misinformation. Anyway, (lol) that is why I am so paranoid of making a mistake in filing my N400. It will be nice to be approved and then burn all the paperwork I have been holding onto since 2015! 

[camerica 67]

21 minutes ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

You do not need "certified" copies of the tax transcripts. The PDF you download from the irs.gov website is exactly what you will provide to USCIS

One last question? We file joint income tax with IRS. My husband just created an account but when we went to request the tax transcripts he read that I also have to create an IRS account too. Is this correct if we filed jointly? I never worked here in the USA

[TBoneTX 49,001]

For uploading attachments, try www.smallpdf.com -- I wish I'd found that site years earlier.