ETintheUS

1) USCIS looks at your gross income not AGI so that shouldn't be an issue, although it can never hurt to have joint sponsors as a backup, it'll put USCIS at ease if there are doubts regarding income/public charge. Just be sure to fully inform the joint sponsor of how the responsibility that comes with it and the fact that they remain responsible for the intended immigrant regardless of how the relationship evolves until certain points are met. 
 
2) No one can advise you to get married abroad to then bring in your new spouse with the intent to immigrate since that's illegal and considered immigration fraud and helping or even condoning such thing goes against the ToS of this website. In a general sense though, I know of no jurisdiction that would consider an online wedding a legitimate marriage, but then again I'm more versed in laws overseas, here in the US things might be a bit more wild-westy so to say so someone else might be able to shed light on that. 

Amend tax to higher income is very uncalled, it is even more troublesome when it comes to IRS.  Get married legally through a civil official or religion not some “convenient” website. US immigration recognizes all marriage license, so you can get married everywhere on earth.

We don't know if the OP's household size is 2.
 
The complete tax return copy is sent.  Schedule C is part of that, when self employed.

related topics merged

Users can’t delete. I’ll flag it and a moderator will take care of it. Not a problem ! 

125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for two people is $21,550. So that's the minimum you should have.
 
By the way, there are slightly different documents you need to provide if you are self-employed, for example you should send a copy of Schedule C and so on.

I believe you're trying to figure out the minimum amount you need to make to meet the sponsorship income requirements, which is 125% of the federal poverty level for your household size, immigrant included. 

You need to earn and/or have assets of at least 125% of the federal poverty level for you household size, the immigrant included. So you count one for yourself,  one for the immigrant you're sponsoring and more if you have kids etc that are dependents on your tax forms. If it's just you and your soon to be spouse, the FPL is currently just over $20k-$21k a year for a household of two.

Clearly, you have neither taken a close look the I-864 or its instructions.  Doing so, will be critical to your ultimate success.  Income requirements are on the I-864p and vary based on household size.  You'll be supplying information from three tax returns, but are only required to include a copy of the latest.

Correct.  For 2018, it's line 6. For previous years, it's line 22.  Business revenue is not "income", in this context until after it appears on line 6 of a 1040.  A self employed person's income is the taxable income, AFTER deducting legitimate business expenses.  Revenue is not the same thing as "income".
 
Being self employed is  a double edged sword.  Nice deductions and less taxes, but less qualifying income when it comes to sponsoring an immigrant.  Some folks forget about some of their legitimate deductions when they file, then remember them and file an amended return after their spouse is in the USA.  Presumably, you could do that for your 2019 tax return, making IT your latest tax return from which "current income" is derived.

Look at the instructions PDF for the I864 .. USCIS website ... buried in there is the information about  which line on your tax return they are looking for when you are self employed. 

@pushbrk can probably add the best insight.

I'm pretty sure immigration is looking at your gross income, not taxable income but maybe someone else can confirm. 

I came to the US in Oct 2019 on ESTA, didn't say I was getting married to the agents...got married 3 days later!!
 
Applied for I-130 in Nov as I was still working overseas. Easily came back to the USA this Jan 2020 on ESTA for a 3 month trip (just said I'm here as a tourist visiting my husband) and they let me in no more then 3 questions asked. It's easy to get in and out on ESTA!! 

Just a correction with terminology. TSA is in charge of aircraft and passenger/crew security. They check your carry ons to make sure you are not carrying anything dangerous and also check your ID before you go to the gate to make sure you are not on the “no fly” list. You see them before you get on a flight in the USA. They have nothing to do with arriving passengers or immigration. You are thinking of CBP. These are the agents that question arriving passengers as to their intentions once in the country. 

?   Marry, file the 1-130/130A, he goes home for consular processing but each of you can visit the other in either country.

That's important. As long as he doesn't overstay he can use his ESTA to come and visit you during the process of the CR1. It would only get cancelled if he oberstays and then he probably wouldn't get another tourist visa.

No  he keeps his ESTA - don't overstay
 

I'm a British citizen that flew to the US with (now) US spouse to get married in April 2019. My I-130 was accepted in August and is under review. I left and went back to my country of residence. All of this was done on an ESTA.
 
Let's see how things go!

Not relevant - Intent was determined at POE.   Plus he is leaving and not adjusting.

Yes, they are free to marry and stay in the us and adjust status. However, there is a presumption of having made a willful material misrepresentation at the time of admission or application for a nonimmigrant visa when that nonimmigrant enters the United States and within 90 days And marries. Therefore, if you are going to marry and adjust it is best to wait till day 91 to avoid this presumption. 

TSA isn't involved.   CBP grants the entry.   He just needs to qualify for ESTA, answer questions truthfully at inspection and maintain his ties to the UK.

~~moved back to IR1/CR1 process and procedures from AOS from op request~~

Since you see TSA on the way to the Gate for a departing flight, and never on the way in, throw out anything anybody (lawyer or not) said about saying ANYTHING to TSA on the way IN.  Even so, there's no more need to tell CBP that you plan to marry than to tell them you might visit a public library.  Besides, your plans changed AFTER entry.  It really IS a free country in that respect.

While I moved this topic and these are appropriate answers, you've already asked about where to get married and the visa process...  Obviously AOS is a choice here for you, and your fiance would not be allowed entry if he told cbp he intended to get married and stay (just getting married is another story.) However, if you do plan on the visa process and not to AoS as it seems by this post, please hit report on your post and request the thread be moved back to the CR1/IR1 forum.