Joint Sponsor for Affidavit of Support with I-485

[froddan]

My wife who is a U.S citizen sponsors me with the Affidavit of Support. The problem is that she was a Graduate student until 2003 and did not make any money or file the taxes. She has a tax return and is currently employed with a salary greater than the requirements.
Do I need a joint sponsor even though she meets the income requirements now? I know that the INS requires 3 years or an explanation why there was no taxes filed.

 

[HappyGirl]

Hi!
I would attach a seperate sheet of paper to the I-864 explaining the reason for the lack on income on the tax returns in question and include any applicable evidence to back it up.
I would also line up a co-sponsor, just to be safe! If you have already mailed in your forms and are waiting for the interview, you can take the co-sponsor's I-864 to the interview with you and only present it to them if they ask for it.
My husband didn't earn enough on the previous 3 tax years, although he is currently earning well above the required minimum. We lined up a co-sponsor, just in case. Lucky we did, because at the interview we were told we would need one, and I was able to hand over my co-sponsor's I-864.
Best of luck!

HG