I-864 Affidavit - Don't have tax returns...what to do???

[clibard06]

Hi,
I am an american citizen who unfortunately didnt file the tax returns for the past 3 years. I was living abroad and due to my ignorance I didnt file because I though I was not supposed to. So, I didn't file but I was supposed to, so I'd say I did something kind of illegal.

So, now I am not able to provide the tax returns to file for the I-864 and to get this sorted out with the IRS it will take a long time.

I wanted to ask if this is a "deal breaker" or there are other ways I can prove my income? But also, it would be helpful for me to understand whether this problem could cause big delays etc. in the application or there is a straightforward way to get around this issue?

Thanks a lot!
G.

 

[Stanley Hermosillo]

The only straightforward way to deal with issue is to face it head on. The first thing you need to do is contact your old employers - ALL of them - and gather all the records you can. Tax records from the country you were in, pay stubs/checks and all other relevant records. Gather them all up and then either contact a tax attorney, an accountant, or visit a local tax office such as H&R Block or the like and get the process of paying those taxes started. Please keep us posted in your progress!

 

[argentinaoregon]

I am in the same boat. The difference is I was not making income in the States over the last three years. I was working abroad a little, but never paid any taxes and didn't make enough that I thought neccesary. I was a teacher, so I was pretty much volunteering. What do you suggest I do?

 

[argentinaoregon]

also, I am still not in the United States. I am waiting in Argentina with my husband, which makes contactin a lawyer and working on this even more complicated.

 

[Jackolantern]

I am in the same boat. The difference is I was not making income in the States over the last three years. I was working abroad a little, but never paid any taxes and didn't make enough that I thought neccesary. I was a teacher, so I was pretty much volunteering. What do you suggest I do?

You are in a different boat. The OP apparently earned enough to be required to file taxes, but you didn't (I presume you made under the approx. $8000 threshold).

 

[Jackolantern]

I wanted to ask if this is a "deal breaker" or there are other ways I can prove my income?

Tax returns are useless for proving income for the I-864, if the income is from foreign employment.

Remember the idea behind providing tax returns is to substantiate your ability to support your immigrant spouse or relative when you are living in the US with them. When you are living in the US, you don't have that foreign job, so income from the foreign job cannot be used for the I-864. If the foreign income was passive, like royalties from a book you wrote or rent from properties you own overseas, then it could be counted because the money would still be coming in when you live in the US.