grumpymcdorky18

She didn't say Dual Citizen. She was talking about being a Dual Status Alien for tax purposes.

Thanks Carlos, I guess some people just like to put comments without reading further.....I hope next people to comment will read FIRST before putting a "heck" comment in my post.

Thanks for all the reply, it's been a while since I checked I got too busy with my ad guess what I haven't got my taxes done. Tonight was the night to get it done on Turbo Tax, we actually decided to file separately instead of jointly. Then the next story happens, my file was rejected by Turbo Tax because there's no E-Pin found last year.....I guess because I didn't file my taxes for 2011 and in IRS site it's asking for the 2011 filling details.

My next question is would it be better if I mail it? After reading the comments here I'm thinking of re-doing it again and would try to file jointly (phew) guess that would be the easiest way to go without further questions...Thanks again for the inputs, I'm guessing I'm not the only one who has a question like this

Hello VJ members,

I've been browsing these past few days about filling taxes but I'm still confuse This site has been helpful ever since and I know there are a lot of similar cases with me so feel free to move this post or link me the right direction.

This is actually our second time to file our taxes, we did file jointly last year for 2011 since I still don't have a job still waiting on my AOS. We filled it ourselves and it went smoothly.

For 2012 we were thinking of filing it separately, though I'm not really sure if this is the best route to go. Reason is he sold his house through short selling (my name isn't included in the title and I don't think it's conjugal?) meaning we didn't get any money at all since this all went to the mortgage bank. Secondly, he has 2 student loans that he's currently paying off right now and it might have an effect on my refund since I don't have any loans or anything payable. We are a lil bit worried if we file separately I will have problems later on with my ROC questioning why we filled separately.

Also, I was reading My link (IRS link) seems that I am considered as dual alien status for 2012 (or maybe I'm just not understanding it correctly). I started working April 2012 through my EAD but I'm just awaiting on my GC on hand, it arrived July 2012 just few months after I started working. Does this mean I have to file a different form for Apr-July, then another one for July-December.

This tax filling is a really confusing for me and my husband, a lot of things to consider so we're thinking of finding a Tax Accountant....but we're onto the mindset of filling it on our own since I was able to get here and be with him by just researching like most of the VJ peeps did Any inputs will be appreciated as always

Thanks!

Thanks everybody for the quick response, it's heart-warming and probably somebody also asked the same question before.

Before I tried browsing through the same positions most of the time they don't put the salary range and just now that I figured that www.salary.com existed.

Our company is medium-sized and as far as I see they're trying to make everybody flexible in doing other things. I was thinking of asking company of job description from HR, seemed not too much of a job when I checked it online before. I actually started my job hunt trying to go back to Fortune 500 company again I think it's way more clear with big companies as to what your description is, or maybe not. I'm just afraid staying with a company for 6 months will make my resume bad since in the Philippines you have to stay at least 2 years to build a good tenure.

It's been a while since I logged back in here, since it's been really a struggle to start my life all over again here in the US.

I'm a gc holder now and already have a job in a private company. Of course, coming from other country I honestly don't have much of an idea how much is the average salary as a Contract Administrator. I've been in Contracts department for 8 years now, when I left Philippines I worked at one of the best IT company.

So now my work is in a different field not related to IT at all since it's manufacturing. In my interview HR asked me how much is the salary range I wanted to get paid. My husband has a blue collar job and it has a difference of course. I based my salary based on his but now that I'm currently employed I felt I got ripped.

Is there like a law here in the US that employers should at least level the salary on the par of the position you are applying for? I was checking online there's like a 10k-20k difference on the average compared to my salary. I feel really worn out at the end of the day and feels that I'm not being paid fair....probably coz I'm from a different country and doesn't know much about the salary range in my field?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I hate feeling this way feels I'm being discriminated at some point and taken advantage of.

Thank you everyone I'm hoping everybody will get their PR approved soon as well, just be patient I think. I tried not to worry as much as I used to before besides after this we'll be in vacation from USCIS for 2 year! Cheers everyone and just hang in there!

Hello December fillers, my AOS got approved today.

I filled 27 December 2011 case got transferred to CSC last 25 February 2012. Also, I called them 2 weeks ago and said that it's out of the processing frame then they sent me an e-mail that within 45 days they will give me a decision regarding my case. So maybe that's what other should also do? goodluck to everybody else hopefully we'll hear more approvals

Did anybody in this group got approved recently? Putting this forum up guys ?

Hi Folks,

Happy to say I had my interview today after 2 weeks of applying, got my EAD first week this month so I'm crossing my fingers before end of month I'll get to sign a Job Offer. It was a pretty comfortable interview I may say considering I'm not from this country and not sure what to expect. But right now I'm a lil bit worried about some things or maybe I'm just freaking out.

The job will require travel to different state (which is I like since it'll be in Hawaii, California, Texas, etc.... at least I get to explore more about this country all expenses paid) but the thing is the Last Name on my passport is not yet amended, I think I have to go to Chicago personally. It worries me that I will have a problem travelling within the country especially at the airport (though I'm not sure if passport is really needed when travelling here). My husband and I just recently moved to a new apartment and we can't afford to have an extra expenses such as travelling to Chicago anytime soon until the time we're financially stable.

My GC is still pending as well, hoping it will be approved soon. And with that being said I went to BMV one time and they advised me to wait for my GC to be released before applying for a license but I can still use my license in the Philippines for a year. If I will have a job and will be driving everyday to and from work do you think I will have an issue or problem driving to a different state as well?

I would appreciate any inputs and advises . VJ has been there and helpful with me in this entire process, so thankful Good luck to all of us with our new life and cheers!

Thanks,

Ces

I checked your timeline and notice that you've just got here this month, welcome to OH not sure if I can help you or not. I'm currently living in Ohio right now and went to BMV trying to get a license when I got here past Nov, but then they advise me to wait for my greencard before I can get one..hopefully it'll get approved this month. Though it's not too bad since my license from other country is still valid here for a year as per BMV. So I think best way to know is to call BMV and ask maybe they can put license plate in ur SUV...or not. And who knows they might let you get a license, goodluck and keep us posted. ?

Hi VJers,

I have a pending AOS application and got my EAD card in the mail the other day...yay! But me and my husband move to a different apartment since we lived with his friends before. Now it seems that things got more complicated since I was trying to fill-out the AR-11. I was on a K1 Visa and waiting for my GC to arrive. Now my question is AR11 doesn't allow me to leave the options below blank and honestly, I don't know what to put there since I don't have anything to put. Pls. see details below for further clarification. I would appreciate anybody who can give me an input

Details

1.) School or Employer Info - obviously none

2.) Address - not applicable as well

3.) State - not applicable as well

4.) If not a permanent resident , my stay in the US will expire on - not sure when coz technically my I-94 expired 12 Feb but I got married before that so I don't know what to put here

Any help guys will be very appreciated

EAD/AP approved today!!!!! Exactly 90 days can't wait to get it in the mail and have a job ???

thanks guys, it's just probably that I never felt disrespected before nor see somebody got disrespected like that most of all my husband. I never meant to offend or mean something bad sorry if I did say it in a way that you might have misinterpreted coz I know not all American's are like that. I have friends who's from here for a long time since I worked in a US based company and we've been friends for more than 10 years....guess it's really different you meet along the way.

Your husband's "friend" is a jerk.

I let an old college room-mate slacker bum live with me, and he treated my wife that way when she arrived. In her own house! He was cunning about not letting me see a lot of the stuff he was doing like demanding to be let in the bathroom when she was in there and bossing her around if I was upstairs.

I evicted him and we've never spoken since. It sounds like this guy is not really your husband's friend. Sometimes people are really rude like this because that's a way of getting rid of you: make your life so miserable that you leave.

You're probably right, knowing that he's making big things out of small things means he wants us out. I wish it's my husband's house that we're living like your situation before so we can kick him out and he can leave us alone but faith wasn't that easy for us. I guess the bottom line for this is if you're getting married to a person from a different country it's good to have your own place at least so the adjustment stage won't be really that tough. Since we grew up on a different environment and living/moving in to a different place far from our family is really tough and living with somebody who treats you like ####### will make adjustment even more harder. I can say Filipinos are not as straight forward as some of the people here but that I'm trying to work on since my husband can't say anything at all but just complain to me. Everyday I'm crossing my fingers that I'll have my EAD so we can move out and I'm the only person who can boss around my husband

So here's the story.......

Me and my husband has been married since December so I'm still waiting for my EAD, hopefully it'll be approved anytime this week or next week if God permits. We're currently living with his friends right now who's also married. They lived with my husband before in his house which is now up for sale since he got a gunpoint while he was sleeping (bad neighborhood) but he's still paying the mortgage so not to destroy his credit since I will be building mine with his name.

Of course living with somebody has always cons, the guy we liveJd with is kindda rude asking my husband do things for him all the time like he was his "slave" or somethin. Wake us up early in the morning to get his laundry since we live in the basement which I believe he could've done the night before he went to bed. Put post all over the cupboards about knife and dishwasher. Honestly, I'm kinda shock with his attitude coz I grew up in a place where people are most of the time polite and respectful. We pay them utilities but not rent since they're returning the favor that they lived in my husbands house before and for sure my husband never treated them that way. Last night the guy was barking at my husband about his taxes and utilities, I really felt bad so I decided to get all the money in my purse and give to him so he'll stop yellin at my husband.

We're really hoping to move out soon coz I can't stand him anymore and the way he disrespects my husband. But the problem is that my husband's plate is full with bills, student loan and mortgage. I have a few American friends but I can say they're not rude, they're mostly helpful. I don't know if it's just me bein overly sensitive, the "culture-difference" or it's just his terrible attitude. guess in this journey you don't know what kind of people you'll meet along the way......

Hi, I recently had my interview at USEM last Friday I would advise to photocopy the docs that you will show them. As for my experience they took the copy of my fiance's ITR 2010, W2, Employment Certificate and copy of his policy life insurance since I'm his beneficiary. The Filipino (upon screen interview) will ask questions and would need proof and will staple it with the Forms then it'll be forwarded to the consul. So if you still want to keep the original docs a copy would be good.

For St.Luke's, you would need 4 2x2 photos, SLEC Online Registration, copy of NVC/NOA2 if you don't have NVC (just in case), copy of Biographic info of your passport, your passport and of course the money amount to PHP 9,3xx.00

Good luck on your medical and interview....medical is tougher than the interview though

Hello fellow friends at Visa Journey!

When submitting your paperwork to the US Embassy in Manila for a visa interview, do they return all of your original documents to you? If not, what documents do they keep?

What are the all of the required documents during your visa interview? And St. Luke's?

Thank you for all of your help!

Your friends at Visa Journey!

I'm sure you'll be alright....keep us posted sis.

As for me, I had clarithromycin medication for 7 days it's for my allergy I think I'm on my 3rd week of culture test now (sure time flies fast) They ask me to go back on Oct 7 to have another x-ray and of course, the pee test. Did anybody undergo the same case as mine? I think I've read one here in VJ but I'm just not sure what happened to them after. I'm also thinking if I can call them a week to see if the result is already ready for release. Lastly, they took my tourist visa in SLEC hoping that they'll give it back....the girl said USEM will cancel it Any inputs will be appreciated

you should be there at least 6am coz you will be given a number and wait for your number to be called. when yoiu show your slip and paspsport to the guard on the ground flr, you will get ur number. sometimes it will took 3 hours depending on what number you have. yes u will bo back after 3 days to know the result of the smear test. they will give you instructions on your 3rd day. goodluck to you

thanks baby stef now I have an approximate time probably I have to be there by 4:30 am..

good luck to all of us... this week is my 5th week ..prayer helps a lot..!

that's good news, way to go....good luck to all of us hopefully everyone will have a good result in the end

I just found out about this walk through and indeed it was very helpful.....people here in VJ is very supportive. As for me, I'm about to start my sputum journey tomorrow. I'm a bit nervous and I keep on praying to God that he'll guide me and keep me healthy. I hope everything will be fine.....we've all been in a stress and I guess we all deserve a break. Anyways, for some here who's done with the whole scary medical upon arrival there is it true that we still need to see the local Ministry of Health or something to repeat the sputum and x-ray? I hope somebody here will enlighten me......I know it's a lil bit early to worry about it but at least I know what to do next. Thanks VJ peeps

hello guys, i just came home from SLEC, and im glad that mu sputum test was negative..im very happy and thankful to God. all i have to do is wait for 2 months to know the culture result. 2 more steps and this nerve wracking experience will soon end,, :)

wow, congrats!!!!!!!!! let's pray that your culture will also be negative....mine will start tomorrow, I'm a lil bit nervous tho...what time did you go there and how long did it take? (sorry for asking, I'm trying to manage my time if I can still go to work afterwards ) after the 3 days smear test I've read that you still need to go back there to talk to the doctor or something, not sure

Rest well. Relax. Drink plenty of water to make your colds go away

no more food intake,brush teeth and tongue ,drink a lot of water... be positive and don't forget to PRAY... i works...

thank you for your advise and support I'll surely do all the things you said.....prayer really helps a lot that's for sure I hope God will guide us all in overcoming this hindrance

Your colds won't make the matter worse because it's the TB bacteria they will be looking for. You may have so much phlegm, if they don't find TB under the microscope, you're negative!

whew, thanks so much.....coz I don't think my colds will go away anytime soon. My sputum will start on Tuesday and it's a lil bit scary......any advise before I undergo the sputum test probably aside from not eating before going there?

Finally somebody from Columbus, OH...if God permits I'll be there in a few months.

I know how your wifey feels, I went there and stayed with my fiance for 5 months and I haven't seen/met any Filipinos. I bet she miss talking to somebody with our language (that's how I felt) I have couple of friends there but of course, having Filipino friends is different. Does she know how to drive? Maybe she can drive to La Herba I hope I'll get to meet you guys someday...I never thought that there are some "show my status quo" in OH, I've met a couple of them but it's in CA and IL, they like to show-off a lot (I'm not a big fan though). I still think Columbus is a friendly state like when you go to Easton/Polaris they will always greet you hi/hello even they don't know you such a lovely place maybe she can meet some friends their even though it's not a Filipino. PM me your yahoo or fb so we can get in touch

I hope everything results will turn out good for all of us here....I'm also quite nervous my sputum will start on tuesday and I'm still having colds coz of the bad weather.....do you it'll make the test worst as I don't have any idea what is it all about. I'm a lil bit worried but what can I do I don't wanna frustrate and stress myself thinking about it......I just hate it coz I have work and it's gonna mess up my schedule not sure if I can even make it to work in time like around 9.

Six months treatment sounds very much scary and quite a waste of money as we all just want to be with our loved ones very soon in the cheapest way coz this whole visa process is very much expensive....but on the bright side I think it'll be more expensive if we'll be sick once we get to the US since we don't have insurance yet. But of course I'm still praying that nobody here will undergo that treatment.....let's all try to have a positive outlook for good outcome of our results

I'm sorry to hear that your visa is delayed by St. Lukes and that you are going to miss your fiancé's reunion. The waiting is not fun. However, I hope you enjoy your remaining time in 'Pinas with family and friends...and don't forget to enjoy all of your favorite foods while you are still there!

It doesn't matter whether your smear tests turn out negative or positive. St. Lukes will still make you wait for the results of your eight-week culture because that's the most accurate test. It's possible to have a positive smear test and a negative culture.

I hope the time passes quickly for you and your sweetheart. Hang in there...it's worth the wait!

Thanks Tahoma for the very warm and encouraging words....I guess that's the best thing to do and move on. I'm a bit nervous on my sputum on tues-thurs do you know how long is process gonna take? I have colds these past few days coz of the bad weather, I hope it will go away soon

if you get positive smear test ,medication kaagad sis..for 6 months...

oh I see I'm sure separate payment un treatment....

hi VJ peeps, had my medical the other day and guess what?!?! I'm joining the sputum club It really broke my heart coz I just had my medical at work and everything is normal. It really sucks coz after all the pressure and stress of getting things done soon here comes 2 months of waiting. We were actually rushing things so I can be at my fiance's reunion this 14 August, but like they say you cannot fast forward your life. Now, we're trying to move on and try to look at things the positive way like me having the time to go beach-bumming again. Glad my boss accepted my extension of resignation or else geez I will be jobless. I'll be having my 3 days sputum on 2,3 and 4 hoping and praying that my smear will be negative. Not sure how will the process be like after 3 days if this will be negative will I still have to undergo the culture test? How long is the test going to be each day? Not sure if I need to call of work or can still catch up at 9 am, this is really too much of a hassle but what are we to do