biggish data

I-864 from co-sponsor

Well...the I-864 was accurate on the date the co-sponsor signed it, so it would go through just fine as it is. Or you could get a new one filled out to be most accurate and up to date. Either way, the person qualifies. You have time to receive it since your interview has not been assigned yet.

Read the instructions for the Form I-864. Page 4, Item #5 lists the documents acceptable to prove US status for your (joint) sponsor. Yes you need documentation for a joint sponsor. If your sponsor is now a citizen, she has a naturalization certificate even if she hasn't applied for a passport yet.

Question: I was looking at your timeline. Have you had the medical? You mention being delayed waiting for 2 MMR shots. You only need one. The second is marked "insufficient time interval" by the clinic and receives a waiver. Your immigration is not held up waiting on time intervals for shots that are a series. As long as you got the first shot, the others are waived. You never have to get it.

Yes, she had her medical done on the 3rd of this month. It was scheduled two weeks prior and her Applicant Readiness Form was sent the same day. Well, I've had a headache of a time trying to make sure wife wouldn't need to get any shots at Knightsbridge. She had her immunization record from Poland and it was a hell of a time trying to decipher it all. She's had it translated, but they didn't use Excell to make it easier to read. Anyway, her UK GP studied it and told her she couldn't see when and if she was given the MMR shot. She gave her one MMR shot on the spot and told her she will need a booster (Td) shot later. She had to wait a month to get it. As soon s she was able to book her appointment for that shot, I scheduled the earliest medical, and here we are. What's confusing to me, is the fact that Knightsbridge wrote down 2 MMR's as if they were given the same day and the Td as the one which was given a month later. That's wrong, because my wife was given one shot and two shots the next time. I've very confused and Igotta tell you, I am not used to dealing with GP's in the UK. Whether she needed that second one or not, it's a done deal. I'm just glad that nothing was missing at the time of her medical. However, Knightsbridge did put something in results section that got me thinking. 1. Vaccine History Incomplete 2. Applicant may be eligible for blanket waiver because vaccination not medically appropriate. When I asked about it, they told me it was nothing to worry - they are instructed by the Embassy to do this now. So, it was quite confusing to me about the shots and I hope she didn't get anything she wasn't supposed to, but at least she passed it. I just hope the Embassy didn't lose that electronically submitted readiness form. I hate to be waiting and waiting and the interview letter never comes.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-11 18:13:00

I-864 from co-sponsor

My wife's co-sponsor has just become a USC - no passport in hand yet. I have already received the necessary paperwork from her [co-sponsor], but I'm wondering whether or not she should re-do it and put USC on the form instead of Permanent Resident? Does it matter? Also, are any identification documents needed from her along with her signed I-864?

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-11 09:19:00

Yes, you're right, by the sounds of things London is general quite a nice one in comparison.

I am the beneficiary from the UK, yes, and my fiancee is the petitioner from the US.

I am unsure of how other visas work, but for me applying for the K1 visa in London, it was very easy for my fiancee to accompany me. I approached the sign-in desk and asked if her name was on the list - this is because during the DS-160 application on line you are able to enter effectively a +1 to accompany you to the embassy. My fiancee was not shown on the list but the girls at the sign in desk outside the embassy were nice enough to just call inside and add her name as a +1 for me right there and then.

As for the actually interview at the window, my fiancee didn't come with me, she just sat and waited. I did mention that she was there to the conofficer but they didn't seem too interested in needing to see or speak to her. We decided that it didn't make much difference whether she was there or not. I am unsure of whether she would have been asked any additional questions if she did follow me up to the counter, maybe, maybe not! But seeming as your wife may have some problems with the language barrier then it may be a bonus for you to accompany her. It really all depends on the conofficer as to what questions you'll be asked.

Hope this helps! Maybe some others have further info/thoughts on this

My wife's interview letter does not have +1 on there, and we did include me on the applicant readiness form. I will definitely ask about including me and as far as my being present at the window with her - they can always just ask me to go and sit down. Thanks for the info.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-18 11:39:00

I can completely co-sign this! Exact same experience for me yesterday in London. All in all around 2.5 hours at the embassy, all went very smoothly and relaxed - I wasn't asked many questions and received very friendly responses during both the 1st window document collection and 2nd window interview phases. Like you say, the interview was basically just a general chat, very short for me, my fianceé didn't even have time to get out from the restroom before I was done! Few minutes at max.

I was told at the end "you'll have a great story to tell your kids, I'm requesting an approval for your visa, you're all set!"

Very happy. Just awaiting my "ready" status to update to "issued" via the CEAC site now.

Cheers and good luck to all in the earlier stages. I'll write up my full interview experience including the docs I submitted shortly.

Great. I love hearing about pleasant experiences at the Embassy. Not all Embassies have this high standard of customer service satisfaction.

You mentioned about your fiance - I take it you were the beneficiary, right? I applied for CR-1 visa for my wife. I'm wondering whether or not I can be allowed to accompany her to her interview? They might have questions my wife will certainly not be able to answer - language barrier, and I would not want this to have a negative effect in Embassy decision making. It seems I've read a review somewhere that a petitioner was right there with his wife, but the conversation was pretty much between his wife and the immigration officer. Basically, don't say anything unless you're spoken to. Which would be fine, but I would want to be there just in case.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-18 07:29:00

The staff outside are all British. Like I said before its a bit chaotic, you walk up towards the embassy and there are these queues with no labels or signs to say who should go where, so you have to ask one of the staff which queue you need to be in. Everyone is asked to get their appointment letters and passports out, the staff members then walk up and down the lines checking your letters and make sure you are in the right line and have a plastic security bag to put your electronics in :-)

Gotcha. Thanks. I've never been to that Embassy before, so finding out early where to go sure helps, for in the morning things will be hectic. We plan on getting there by 7:30 and I guess this should be ok.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-17 15:02:00

From my experience CR-1/IR-1 do not go in a separate line and do not go in first. The queue outside the embassy is a bit chaotic and is done by time of appointment for two of the lines and the other line is for those who have checked in to go through security. So when you finally get to the front of your timeslot line and sign in for your appointment, you then join the line to go through security (they only let 4 people in at a time). When you get in the embassy tickets are based on what type of visa you are applying for be it immigrant or non-immigrant, my number was i918. These tickets are not called in order, by the looks of it 3 or 4 of the desks were dealing with immigrant visas. There were significantly more non-immigrant visa applicants during my visit than immigrant applicants, as such the wait for immigrant applicants didn't seem that long at all

It's good to get this information from someone with a fresh memory of what and how it works. Some people tend to give information here that is simply inaccurate. So, if I'm understanding this correctly, we should not try to go and see the security guard at the gate, but rather go and join the end of the line right away, right?

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-17 14:12:00

From my experience CR-1/IR-1 do not go in a separate line and do not go in first. The queue outside the embassy is a bit chaotic and is done by time of appointment for two of the lines and the other line is for those who have checked in to go through security. So when you finally get to the front of your timeslot line and sign in for your appointment, you then join the line to go through security (they only let 4 people in at a time). When you get in the embassy tickets are based on what type of visa you are applying for be it immigrant or non-immigrant, my number was i918. These tickets are not called in order, by the looks of it 3 or 4 of the desks were dealing with immigrant visas. There were significantly more non-immigrant visa applicants during my visit than immigrant applicants, as such the wait for immigrant applicants didn't seem that long at all

Seems that some people post things here that are not accurate. So it's always good to get a second opinion. You were just there, so you have a fresh memory of what you've gone through. So if I'm understanding this correctly, we should not try to go and see a security guard/U.S. Marine but rather join the end of the line, right?

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-17 14:09:00

When you schedule the courier you have a choice of pick up or delivery, the depot is less than 3 miles away from where I'm staying so didn't bother with delivery :-) I would say its best to get a hotel, we were up at 4.00 to make my 8.30 appointment and still had to rush. They do the queue's by timeslot e.g 8-9am and 9am+ So I would still suggest getting there 30+ minutes early. There is some good restaurants near by on Duke Street I think for breakfast celebrations afterwards ;-) You must take your appointment letter with you as you will need it when you are queuing outside the embassy. I also placed my husbands name on the readiness form but my husbands name wasn't on my appointment letter so I used the online enquiry form to request to be added to the list and they responded and added him to the list.

Good to know. I might have to write them so I don't end up standing outside I also heard that those who are in line (queue) for CR-1/IR-1 will be placed in a separate line and go in first. I plan to ask them at the gate just to make sure I'm not standing there longer than I have to.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-17 12:01:00

What wonderful news! I'm glad that it has finally arrived! I received my courier email today and am able to pick up my visa tomorrow, So excited that I can now book my flights!

Why do you have to pick up your visa? I thought that when you scheduled your courier (prior to interview day) it will be delivered to you. I started to read everything again so I don't miss anything. When you get anxious you tend to forget things. They scheduled wife's interview at 8am. I was hoping it was going to be more like 9:30, but I will most likely get a hotel near by instead of getting up at 4am. I'm curious, because wife's appointment letter, does not have my name on it anywhere and I included myself in the readiness form to be present.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-17 10:04:00

Today was interview day, all in all it took about 2.5 hours. What surprised me though was at the interview they didn't ask me any questions about our marriage, just a general chat about Utah (where we are moving to).

Not that it probably matters to you Clair but I thought I'd give you a little quick update: our interview letter came in this morning. The interview was scheduled for the first week of August, so I'm glad. The last stage has began.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-17 07:29:00

I went by CEAC date changes to know when my medical results were received etc. I don't think it changed from "READY" just the date changed when they sent the letter out. Out household goods were shipped in June, it took me about a month to sort out the house , so we were down to our suitcases which was a pain. We had been staying at a hotel for a few days and finalised our release from our rental house today so we are almost there. We are shipping two dogs so that is a bit of a hassle. My husbands also traveling alone, so is having to take the two dogs plus 3 suitcases!

Oh, ok. So they might have received her medical results by the 9th - since that's the last update date. It would make sense, for the Embassy was closed for the 4th of July, then through the weekend. I think I'm just going to wait until next Monday and then write to them. Not to piss them off you know

I feel for you. I hate packing and moving and I've done my share of it. When all is done, we will pack everything up and go to my wife's home country first....then pack and leave for U.S. So I guess this will mean double packing. However, I will do my best to ship most of the things to the U.S., from here (UK). Again, thanks a lot for the info and I wish you and your husband best of luck in the future.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-16 11:50:00

My medical results were received by the embassy on 23rd June

One more question: how do you know when they were delivered? I was just told that it will take around 3 days, but I don't know that for sure.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-16 11:18:00

My medical results were received by the embassy on 23rd June so it was a very fast turn around as the interview letter was dated the 25th June.

Its worth asking through the online enquiry system, the worst that could happen is that they don't respond, so you don't really loose anything by asking :-)

The ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker website has "READY" status as of July 9th on it. No other information is given. I'm not sure if it actually changes to something like "interview scheduled" or not. Maybe you're right. If they reply, and I hope they do, I will at least find out whether or not the readiness form was received. Thanks. So are you ready for the big move? I've been living in Europe for the last few years and I know it's going to be a headache trying to pick the things we want to take with us. Most of my things were "acquired" by my sister when I left and it will be hard to get them back now

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-16 11:11:00

The staff at the embassy were really nice and friendly :-)

My medical was on 18th June and my interview letter is dated as being sent on the 25th June. On my readiness form I stated that my husband is leaving the UK this week, so not sure if that and that he is military may have hurried things along. I did use the online form to contact the embassy on the 25th June to see if I had an interview date yet and they replied the next day.

It might also be worth adding that there were a lot less CR1 applicants at the embassy and the queue for us was much shorter.

Thank you for replying. So it looks like the Embassy assigned your interview date a week after your medical. That's quite fast, for I have heard of two weeks and more. My wife's medical was on July 3rd and Applicant Readiness Form was sent even earlier. However, they will not do anything until they receive the medical results. It's only been two weeks (almost), so I shouldn't worry, but it is the uncertainty of knowing whether or not our Readiness Form has gone through or not. I'm surprised the Embassy replied to your e-mail. They have a statement on their website that if it hasn't been 6 weeks from your medical, you will not even get a response about the interview date. Maybe I should wait until next Monday, then ask them whether the interview date has been assigned or not. I don't have military orders, but I did put down (on the readiness form) the date we're planning on arriving in the U.S. - which is the 25th of August.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-16 10:11:00

Today was interview day, all in all it took about 2.5 hours. What surprised me though was at the interview they didn't ask me any questions about our marriage, just a general chat about Utah (where we are moving to).

Congratulations! Being professional - following strict procedures does not have to equal to being obnoxious, and people who work at the U.S. Embassy in London form the epitome of what professionalism should be all about I cannot give my opinion on the experience just yet for my wife is still waiting for her interview day, but I have read a lot of reviews on people's day at the interview.

Just curious, how long after your medical have you received your interview letter?

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-16 08:48:00

dates on supporting evidence for affidavit of support

Thanks. I read the instructions many times over, but I'm sure you've hear about the differences in Consular approach. Each Embassy's VU has a different approach, e.g. London doesn't care to see evidence of strong marital bond, etc. At least this is what I read from past interview experiences. I'm not worried about mine, for I am covered. Thanks again for clarifying things. The only other thing that I'm still pondering on, is whether or not by not counting my wife in household size on 864, I made a mistake. It tells you right on the form not to count anyone twice, but if you count your spouse as the intending immigrant, then yourself and leave the other thing as if you didn't have a spouse, so the household size "2" - just as it should be, then you're not truthfully answering questions. If you do, then you end up counting someone twice. An oxymoron type of thing.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-26 16:55:00

dates on supporting evidence for affidavit of support

Nich-Nick... my wife's co-sponsor has just informed of something that made me wonder. She watched a I-864 instructional video on youtube, where some lawyer talked about the difference in supporting documents needed. She said that if the intending immigrant is already in the U.S., then the co-sponsor is only required to provide the recent tax return. Where in the case of the intending immigrant having his/her interview at the Consulate, then the co-sponsor must submit all three tax returns and three recent paystubs. What do you know about that? We're ready for the interview in week's time and now I wonder if her co-sponsor should send some more evidence.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-26 14:35:00

It's a personal statement from you. I can't see why IRS would stamp it.

Have you filled out your I-864?
Attach it to the end.

Go back to what the instructions say.
" If you were not required to file a Federal income tax return under U.S. tax law because your income was too low, attach a written explanation. "

That's right, I forgot about that. Thanks.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-27 11:27:00

Looks fine. There is nothing special about the examples I provided. They all were out of my head so basically just tell them however you want to. Giving the figures lets them know you looked it up and know the requirements. (You did look those up on IRS website?? ) if you were married in any of those years, then you have given single taxpayer figures.

Yes, I looked it up in the instructions and have taken the $ figures, based on that year's currency exchange rates. No, I was not married during the 2013 tax year. I have modified the letter a little, so it tells the IRS I do know about the unearned income as well.

"According to IRS publication 501-Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information, I was not required to file an individual tax return for the years 2011, 2012, and 2013 for the following reasons:

In 2013, I was mostly unemployed. My combined earned and unearned income was: $376.00. Therefore, did not meet the threshold of $10,000 for filing a tax return.

In 2012, I was unemployed. My combined earned and unearned income was: $0.00. Therefore, did not meet the threshold of $9,750 for filing a tax return.

In 2011, I was unemployed. My combined earned and unearned income was: $0.00. Therefore, did not meet the threshold of $9,500 for filing a tax return."

I hope this will suffice. Otherwise, they will certainly put their decision making on hold - until I provide my taxes. Just a thought, should this letter be taken to the local IRS office for some official approval and stamp, or it can my wife just take it straight to her interview along with my and co-sponsor's 864?

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-27 10:53:00

If below, then you don't have to file.

Foreign income is self reported. No pay slips are included. IRS does not have the resources to go after a piddly return. Anyway, Is it better to report something or nothing in the eyes of the IRS if audited. And did you keep a record of how much cash you took? Where will you get the numbers?

Examples I have written before in other posts. Use to craft your own.
--------

Your name
Affidavit of Support for [spouse], LNDxxxxxxxxx
STATEMENT OF WHY I DID NOT FILE A TAX RETURN

According to IRS publication 501-Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information, I was not required to file an individual tax return. for the years 2010, 2011, and 2012 for the following reasons:

in 2012, I earned $355.23 and therefore did not meet the threshold for filing a tax return.
in 2011, I earned $0.00 and therefore did not meet the threshold for filing a tax return.
In 20010, ........etc
---------

I decided to use one of the templates you have provided. I used the last one (see above). This is what I did:

In 2013, I earned $376.00 and therefore did not meet the threshold of $10,000 for filing a tax return.

In 2012, I was unemployed and earned $0.00. Therefore did not meet the threshold of $9,750 for filing a tax return.

In 2011, I was unemployed and earned $0.00. Therefore did not meet the threshold of $9,500 for filing a tax return."

Does that look ok, or should I use the other form?

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-27 09:39:00

My husband has a a part time gig with a high end home entertainment business. After the installers have run cables and hooked up equipment, he configures the networks and wireless access points so these mansions can get wireless all over their huge homes. And he programs their iPads so one interface basically drives whatever they want---Tvs, bluRay, projector, Wii, xBox, lights, thermostats, locks, cameras, or music for the pool or tennis court. Most have media rooms so they pick up their iPad and hit one button that says "watch movie" and the programming turns on the project, receiver, surround sound, accesses their media library, then dims the lights. He enjoys the challenge of getting all the systems to talk to each other.

Yep, that's exactly what my friend did. There's good money in it. I wouldn't mind having a few things automated like that, but somethings are too much. With all the technology available out there, we begin to use our muscles and brain less and less

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-25 07:31:00

"To me it was like as if I found money on the street. Would you have reported your finding as income? "

Wel-l-l-l, she says slowly, you mean like the $200 cash the man gave my husband last week for helping him set up his new MacBook Pro. It was a unrelated side job to the home automation reason he went there as a subcontractor on behalf of a business. Yes, I wrote up an invoice strictly for our books of 2 hrs@$85/hr plus sales tax to remit to the state, and the rest coded as "tip". It will be reported as self-employment income. That's just how we roll, but I don't really care if you report or don't.

Being totally honest about that extra money is a good thing. The only difference between your money and the money I made, is that you have a registered business and I don't. Consulting that I have done, can be done from anywhere in the world - provided you have internet access, and since I don't have a registered self-employed business in the States or in Europe, it would be rather difficult to produce an invoice. People who paid for my services, found a way to include my fee in their business expense, and I'm pretty sure they had to lie about it. I think there are pros and cons in reporting extra money made in cash, and I'm sure you or your husband didn't lose any money by reporting that $200 Long time ago, as a second part-time job, I used to do pick-ups and deliveries for a local shop. I was paid in cash, because it was more convenient for the owner to do so. I didn't mind reporting it as income and paying taxes on it, but I couldn't do it without getting that man in trouble.

I appreciate the time you gave me and I thank you for clarifying some things to me as well. Although, producing a letter of explanation why I didn't file my tax returns, would most likely be enough. I think, filing my "0" income tax returns would be safer. This way I will have a IRS stamped returns to show.

P.S. Your husband installs home automation systems? My friend used to do this when it first started coming out. I used to help him some. Those things are nice, but some things are too much. Although, it's nice when you're able to switch off a socket to which an iron is connected to and you left the house. Haha.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-24 06:58:00

Wow, did I just use a word: "founded?" I meant to write "found" of course.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-23 18:17:00

There is discrepancy in what you say.
A) you earned money from consulting. That is self-employed. Money is taxable.
B) you were unemployed and earned NO income. No income, no tax return.
C) you had "investments that paid off". Gains from investments are taxable.

Which is it money or no money? Self-employed consultant or unemployed? Capital gains from investments reported as unearned income?

If you were self-employed as a consultant and earned (even under the table), the IRS does not excuse you from reporting money you earned if it was over a certain amount depending on your filing status. Have you looked up the actual numbers that do not require filing or just guessing you didn't earn enough?

It's for you to work out because only you know the details. I am not going to write every scenario possible just guessing from the sketchy info. I think you have gained some information that you can apply to the facts as you want to report them.

I haven't given you any sketchy info, but I don't feel comfortable divulging all personal information to public on this forum. To clear some things:

A) yes I have earned money, but never registered my services as business in a foreign country (I'm a dual citizen through my parent). To me it was like as if I founded money on the street. Would you have reported your finding as income?

B) unemployed, no income, no tax return. Except for work done in the UK, where on two separate occasions, I earned less than 1200GBP

C) Not capital gains. Cash business investment that paid off 10 fold.

I'm unemployed, living on savings and what wife makes- for now. I'm sorry if this looks bad to you, but it's the truth and I'm not ashamed of not working. I don't sell drugs, steal, etc. I simply live off my savings, waiting to go back to U.S. I cannot get a job in the UK I would like and I'm qualified for. I'm looked upon as a foreigner with foreign diploma and work history. UK companies are picky about who they hire for office or sales jobs (I'm not talking about Primark type sales). I have better chances of getting hired in the UK by an American company, but it's easier to do it while in the States then here. Long story short, I refuse to work through agencies, just to make 200GBP/week. If I have to, I will. As of right now, I have the luxury of not needing to. I've done it before and I don't care to do it again.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-23 17:48:00

Bluebird> unemployed, zero income> not required to file> USCIS says attach a signed statement telling us why you didn't have to file. (It was because you earned no income).

So I gotta ask-- how does a person live all those years with zero income. Who paid your way? You don't have to answer that if too personal. But what I am getting at is if you are some trust fund kid who lived off savings, then you have to look at unearned income as well. That is money generated as interest or dividends paid to you by investments.

Gotcha. You know, the only type of tax returns I have ever filed, was 1040EZ, so when I now look at this combination of 2555, 1040, being unemployed and I-864 requirements, that's when it starts to get confusing. Sometimes, when you're dealing with stress of not being sure and wanting to do everything right, causes your mind to play tricks on you - missing some things that are written in black and white. Thank you for being patient and informative.

You are free to ask, and I have no problem answering. I never said I haven't earned money (working for a living). I simply got paid consulting fees and it was always cash. For the first part of living abroad, I cared for my family member who later passed away. No income then. Later, I did that consulting thing and having been able to live rent free, I was able to put away some money. Couple of investments paid off and I've been able to live off that. My wife works now and we manage this way until we go to the States, where I have a regular job lined up. IRS or USCIS doesn't care if a USC comes back to his homeland after 10 or 30 years, with $5 to his/her name and no place to live. Things are different when that USC wants to bring his/her immigrant significant other. I'm no spring chicken and I wouldn't even come back to the U.S., myself, if I didn't know I can manage and support my wife.

Anyway, it looks like I don't really have to file those tax return, but something tells me I should file as unemployed with "0" income anyway. Final thoughts?

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-23 13:53:00

If below, then you don't have to file.

Foreign income is self reported. No pay slips are included. IRS does not have the resources to go after a piddly return. Anyway, Is it better to report something or nothing in the eyes of the IRS if audited. And did you keep a record of how much cash you took? Where will you get the numbers?

It's starting to make sense, and since I haven't earned enough to qualify as a sole sponsor, then those "0" tax returns wouldn't matter much. Plus in on my G-325, I put that I was either unemployed or worked couple of times during one of the years (2009 I think). It was here in the UK and it was on paper- do have my payslips for that. I don't have for the other job I did, for it was just as I mentioned earlier, cash only. I'm starting to think that going with not filing at all and just giving them that letter of why I didn't file, would be the way to go. Although, I'm not completely sure. Instructions on I-864 clearly say that one should file any late tax returns, or provide that exclusion letter (something of that sort). My returns should be submitted to the IO at the time of my wife's interview. I hear that people file at the local IRS office, even with "0" income, get their copies stamped and that's what they submit along with their I-864. So, I'm still not sure of what I should do.

As to whether or not I can prove how much I made while working for a company that paid me cash, I can't. Some of that money is in my U.S. bank account and I cannot prove that I earned it.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-23 12:20:00

So is this topic about filing taxes or your I-864?

--If you earned no income, there is no reason to file a tax return.
--There is no reason to file a form 2555(EZ) which is to exclude foreign income because you earned no foreign income. How did you come up with that form?
--There is no deducting foreign housing when you didn't maintain a home in the US at the same time and a work transfer put you abroad with paying your own housing costs. It not about "what's the point?" as you stated, but not allowed.

What years are you filing for. What years had income? Any of them?

Topic is about taxes, but the main reason for filing, is I-864. I know I'm not alone in this, but I haven't filed my recent tax returns, because I did not have any income that I could report. Yes I have earned some (way below the allowed non-taxable threshold), but it was paid in cash, so I guess it wouldn't be smart to include that, if I cannot prove I received it (e.g., pay slips) in case I ever get audited. Am I right? I'm wanting to file for all the years I've missed, but from what I heard, for the purpose of form I-864, I only need to show my tax returns for the last 3 years. I know I can just submit a tax exemption letter, but I don't know much about it and I would rather just do my returns. As far as the 2555EZ goes, I read someone's post who also filed for their spouse and the petitioner filed 2555EZ (income in UK, but filed "zero" since it was foreign income).

Thanks for being a sport I appreciate all the help. Instructions can be confusing at times - especially when there are form variations.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-22 20:05:00

Nich-Nick, please forgive my fragment (if any) sentences and overall mess in my message. It's been a very long and tedious day for me.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-22 18:16:00

Need more info. Who is filing? What year? Is this the USC who has foreign earned income to exclude? Are you using tax software?

Form 2555 is the long version if you want to excluded some of your housing and expenses. Such would be the case for somebody who had a home and family in the US but worked abroad and maintained secondary living quarters in a foreign country. That doesn't generally apply to somebody who chose to live and work with a foreign spouse in a foreign country. Nor does it apply for example when you K1s come over and want to file jointly with your US spouse the year you marry. Your foreign income is reported but the UK person can exclude foreign income.

So while the Form 2555 can be used with a lot of blank areas for the housing info, the Form 2555EZ is the short version to take a foreign income exclusion when you aren't eligible for the housing etc stuff. The instructions for the forms usually have a "Who can use this form?" to help clarify.

The form 1040EZ is limited to certain users. If you want to take a foreign income exclusion, then you must use the longer version Form 1040. (This bit is from memory and I don't feel like looking up the appropriate instructions right now, but you can find it all at IRS.GOV and verify it must be a 1040.)

I can't answer the bonafide residence test info unless I know whose income is being excluded. US or UK person?
And I'm supposing what you put for living quarters doesn't matter if you are not qualified to exclude your housing anyway.

I am not going to be using any tax software. I deem it unnecessary - in my case. I will not be using any exclusions (housing cost and other expenses), for I have lived at home that was provided by family member (not wife). Since I left U.S., I have lived in 2 EU countries. Except for two months out of the year 2013, I have lived in the UK and could put down the cost of renting a house here, but since I have not had any income, then what's the point, right?

As far as bonafide residence test goes, I have lived outside of the U.S. since 2009 and I have only made short visits since I left. Therefore my domicile was not in the U.S. since that time. I will have a co-sponsor since my I-864 will surely be marked as "does not meet requirements." I'm not going to include my wife's income either, because the co-sponsor meets the 125% poverty level. To recap, since I have not earned any income while abroad, should I include my savings in wages and other income or just put "0" in there on basically all 3 years? Hope this helps.

Edited by bluebird74, 22 July 2014 - 06:03 PM.

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-22 17:57:00

Hey there fellow members. I am in a process of filing my U.S. taxes and I'm not sure about what form I should use. My problem is with the fact that during one of the years, I was simply unemployed. I noticed that in form 2555EZ, Part II, there is 9c (Other- specify). Is this where I should put "unemployed?" If I can, should I use it along with form 1040EZ and just put my income as "0" or how does that work? If I have to do the regular form (2555) - which also has that "other" option, then it doesn't matter. Although, the problem comes when I will have come to section Part II - Taxpayers Qualifying Under Bona Fide Residence Test, question #10, where it asks you to choose Kind of living quarters in foreign country. Choices are:

a - Purchased house

b - Rented house or apt

c - Rented room

d - Quarters furnished by employer

My answer would me neither, since I was staying with family members. I'm confused. If anyone has encountered the same problem or just knows the answer to my dilemma, please let me know. I appreciate it. Nich-Nick, maybe you have some suggestions as well?

bluebird74

Male

United Kingdom

2014-07-22 14:27:00