If you’re helping your family members secure green cards in the United States, you’ll come across the important USCIS Form I-864, known as the Affidavit of Support. It’s a crucial step in the immigration journey, and one that often leaves sponsors puzzled is figuring out which federal tax documents to provide alongside this form. In this thorough guide, we’ll clarify how many years of federal tax information you should offer and where to get the necessary IRS tax transcripts.
How Many Years of Tax Filing Proof to Provide Immigration Authorities
When it comes to presenting financial documents with USCIS Form I-864, sponsors have some flexibility, but not all choices are equally effective. The first decision to make is how many years’ worth of tax information to include. USCIS allows sponsors to pick between providing just one year’s tax information or up to three years’ worth.
Your decision should be strategic and based on your income history over the past three years. Here’s a helpful guideline:
- Submit Only the Latest Year’s Tax Returns
- If your income has been consistently increasing over the past three years and your current year’s earnings are significantly higher than the previous two years, there’s no need to provide anything more than your most recent year’s tax returns. This can demonstrate your ability to offer financial support without any doubt.
Include Previous Years’ Tax Returns When Necessary
However, if your income history includes a challenging year, like a period of illness or unemployment, and the tax returns from the previous two years show a more stable and higher income, it’s wise to include those as well. This additional information can help balance concerns about the recent decrease in your income.
In What Format to Provide Proof of Tax Filing to Immigration Authorities
Now that you’ve decided how many years of tax returns to include, let’s talk about the format to provide this information. While USCIS accepts copies of your tax returns, there’s a preference for tax transcripts generated by the IRS. Tax transcripts offer a higher level of authenticity and detail, which can strengthen your case.
Why Tax Transcripts Are Preferred:
Enhanced Authenticity: Immigration officials understand that it’s relatively easy to forge copies of tax returns. Tax transcripts, however, are directly generated by the IRS, making them a more reliable source of information.
Comprehensive Information: Tax transcripts provide a complete view of your federal tax filings, including all schedules and attachments. This saves you from including additional documents like W-2s and 1099s.
Obtaining IRS Tax Transcripts
Now that you recognize the importance of tax transcripts, let’s discuss how to get them. Thankfully, the IRS offers a convenient online portal where you can download and print your tax transcript instantly.
Steps to Get Your Tax Transcript:
- Visit the IRS website and navigate to the “Get Transcript” page.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to access your tax transcript. You’ll need to provide personal information for verification purposes.
- Once verified, you can download and print your tax transcript. Remember to keep both digital and hard copies for your records.
Getting Legal Assistance
Navigating the immigration process, especially when sponsoring family members, can be complex and demanding. If you want to simplify this journey and ensure a smooth process, consider seeking help from an experienced immigration attorney.
An immigration attorney can offer valuable insights, analyze the specifics of your case, identify potential issues, accurately prepare all required paperwork, and monitor the progress toward approval. Their expertise can be a valuable asset in ensuring that your sponsorship application is successful.
In conclusion, when preparing your Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) for family members seeking green cards in the U.S., carefully consider how many years’ worth of tax returns to provide and opt for IRS tax transcripts for added credibility. By following these guidelines and seeking legal guidance if needed, you can navigate this aspect of the immigration process with confidence and increase your chances of success.
