*FishF00D*

I am aware that LPRs need to file income tax returns every year; I have always filed every year, on time. Every one of my tax returns has been filed by a tax preparer in an effort to ensure that my returns are filed accurately and completely as I don't have a comprehensive understanding of the US tax filing process. I had never had an issue with any of the previous preparers -- but this filing for 2021 was complicated since my residency was split between two states and my income was low. Just to confirm with anyone else who happens to read this as I can't find any exact phrasing/directive about this online: Do Permanent Residents of the United States ALWAYS have to file state taxes even if the state regulations stipulate that they meet exclusionary criteria? (Income, residency, etc)

Part of the reasoning the tax preparer gave me for not filing NJ State taxes was that based on my income earned in NJ I didn't owe the state any taxes, so at least there's that. However I'm now also realizing that he didn't file a return for me from my previous state of residence (California) -- I also made so little money in CA that it doesn't appear that I'd owe them taxes, but online it looks like they also still expect for people to file even if they don't owe anything.

I used the services of a tax preparer (H&R Block) to file my taxes for 2021, and after we completed my federal tax return the advisor informed me that I didn't need to file state taxes because I was under the reporting threshold (New Jersey). For the sake of being thorough before filing my N400 (regarding part 12 question 7: "Have you EVER not filed a Federal, state or local tax return since you became a lawful permanent resident?") I decided to check on state tax filing requirements just to be certain that I'm in good standing -- and found out that according to the NJ Division of Taxation website that my income for 2021 was over the reporting threshold. It seems this means that I should have filed a State Tax return for 2021, and I'm assuming the best course of action is to make sure my State Taxes get filed before proceeding with my N400. I'm going to get in touch with the preparer/office today to find out how to amend this ASAP before filing my N400 -- but I'm really stressing out about how this could affect my application even if I manage to get it filed late. Will I be in trouble with USCIS/immigration for not filing State Taxes on time even though I was told that I didn't have to/shouldn't by a tax advisor? Also once I do get this situation resolved and/or file my state taxes, does that then mean I can select "No" as my response to N400 part 12 question 7 because I will have filed all possible tax returns - even if one is late? Thank you so much, I'm beside myself with concern right now!

Hey all! I have a few questions about documenting my employment history: In listing past employers, some of mine have different incorporated names on their W2's than the name of the business where I actually physically worked. Which one should I use for my N-400 -- the name/address I gave to the IRS or the name/address of the physical location? Some business I previously worked for have changed their name -- should I put down their old name (matching my previous tax filings) or their new name? There was a period in 2020 where I was transitioning from being fully unemployed to working for myself and continued filing for partial unemployment benefits -- I'm wondering if anyone else has accounted for time "partially unemployed" on their N-400? Currently my application says that my period of "unemployment" ended when I began working for myself -- should I extend my record of unemployment until whenever I actually got off unemployment benefits? Thank you! 😊

Great to know Mike, thanks!

That's a good point as well - software can be difficult to navigate, especially with stipulations like how being in the US at all in a given day counts as "in" the us. I guess there must be some margin for error on the counts then! I guess like you said in one of your earlier posts, as long as the amount of days spent out of the US doesn't make a material difference to your application then a small in-discrepancy in the count can probably be easily explained and understood. Appreciate all the feedback!

Out of curiosity, which version of the IRS Tax Transcripts did you all use for filing? The "Account Transcript" (2 pages) seems succinct, but when I requested them from the IRS they suggested I use the "Tax Return Transcript" (8 pages). Thoughts?

I still pass the physical presence test (each trip was less than 1 month long) but I wanted to be accurate in my count relative to whatever border-crossing data they'll check it against.

Hey all, I'm about to file my N-400 application but I'm curious to know how other people counted their travel days. The instructions say to count how many days you were outside of the US for over 24 hours -- so, does that mean we don't include "travel days?" (ex. If I took a flight at Noon from New York to Canada, does that "day" count toward my total?) I've made ~10 trips out of the US in the last 5 years, so whether or not I include my travel days will change my total count by 20 days. Thank you!