Submission of Tax Returns at the Interview Question

[Fabi]

Dear Friends,

I won the Visa Lottery, I came to America 5 1/2 years ago, in 2004, and now I'm ready to apply for citizenship. But I've read in this forum that at the time of interview, I live in New York ,99.9% that I will need to submit my last 5years of tax returns. The thing is so far I had filled out 4 years of taxes, 2005-2008 , as self employed, my first year in the U.S. in 2004, i didn't work so i didn't fill taxes. So my question is, it could be a problem going to the interview, in case i will be called before I can do my next taxes, with just 4 years of tax returns instead of the 5 needed in my case, or would be better, safer for me to wait until 2010, once that I will fill out the 2009 taxes, in order to send the N-400 application, and that way I'm going to have by the time of the interview the 5 years of taxes required.I would really appreciate your thinking, advice on this,send it now or wait ?

Thank you, Fabi.

 

[sudha1999]

Dear Friends,

I won the Visa Lottery, I came to America 5 1/2 years ago, in 2004, and now I'm ready to apply for citizenship. But I've read in this forum that at the time of interview, I live in New York ,99.9% that I will need to submit my last 5years of tax returns. The thing is so far I had filled out 4 years of taxes, 2005-2008 , as self employed, my first year in the U.S. in 2004, i didn't work so i didn't fill taxes. So my question is, it could be a problem going to the interview, in case i will be called before I can do my next taxes, with just 4 years of tax returns instead of the 5 needed in my case, or would be better, safer for me to wait until 2010, once that I will fill out the 2009 taxes, in order to send the N-400 application, and that way I'm going to have by the time of the interview the 5 years of taxes required.I would really appreciate your thinking, advice on this,send it now or wait ?

Thank you, Fabi.

You got your Green Card through lottery, you were eligible to live and work in US. If you worked (self-employed or employed) immediately after getting GC, you need to pay taxes and file tax returns. Even if you are self-employed, you need to file tax-returns. The question may arise, If you did not work or have no income, how did you support yourself and family if you have one. If you have valid reason for not filing taxes during that year (not common), you may explain at the time of interview. You need to get all the tax transcripts whatever you have beofore applying for citizenship. If you owe any taxes, you should mention on the application and start paying taxes you owe. USCIS does not recommand for approval of citizenship immediately, if you owe any taxes. You may need to consult tax professional regarding your 2004 tax returns.

 

[Jackolantern]

For the years when you had no income (that also means no bank interest income and no foreign income), you normally are not required to file taxes. So you just have to explain that you didn't file for 2004 because you weren't required to. However, you may then be asked to explain how you supported yourself without income.