TAX returns needed for interview?

N

Noncitizen

Registered Users (C)
I am going to apply for US citizenship. My application is not based on marriage to US citizen, I have not traveled out of USA for more then one month, I have never failed to file an income tax return and I don’t have any taxes that are overdue therefore, I do not have to include IRS Form 1722 (or tax returns copies) with my N-400. Will I be later asked in a Document Request Letter to bring my tax information documents to the naturalization interview? And if the Notice of interview (or Document Request Letter) will not require me to bring tax documents to an interview, what are the chances that an adjudicator after interview will not make a Request for Additional Evidence in regard to my tax information (IRS Form 1722)?
Is there a policy on that issue in the District Office or its up to adjudicators to decide?
What is the current practice?

I am originally from Eastern Europe, I have been a Permanent Resident since 1991, I have been employed for the last 8 years and I have never been arrested or detained.

Thank you.
 
You definitely want to bring your previous tax returns (prefably the last 5 years) to the interview. It's quite likely that your interviewer will ask you for proof that you have been filing taxes.
 
Any comments?

If INS wants the proof of tax filing why don’t they ask me to send copies of tax returns along with N-400 at the first place? According to “A Guide to Naturalization” (page 34) INS only requires to do so if an applicant has a US spouse, or have traveled out of USA for more then six month, or I have failed to file an income tax return, or have any taxes that are overdue. Non of the above applies to me.

Any experience-based comments?

Thank you.
 
Here is my expirience. INS can ask you to produce whatever they want, whenever they want. If you don't have it with you, you are the one to suffer. They will tell you they will re-schedule an interview, or hold their decision until you supply the additional documentation etc. They won't care what's in the Guide or elsewhere. They are allowed to ask for whatever documentation they want, they are allowed to question you about anything they want. You must cooperate, or you will be denied, sent to the back of the line etc. If you don't want that to happen, have everything ready. Have all your original documents such as passports, GC, birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, tax retrurns, your children's birth certificates, mortgage papers and all of that nature with you every time you go to the INS. All documents must be translated to English, better yet certified. All Xerox copies better be notarized. Make sure all the translations are correct. The INS messed up my name on my GC because in my birth certificate translation my last name preceeded my first name, and the INS mixed them up on my GC and all the documentation and forms after that. It took me 3 years and endless visits to the INS and follow-up to clear up that mess. They did NOT beleve me when I told them what my name was. See, because many immigrants don't speak English fluently, the INS treats us all like idiots who don't know their names. Yes, it was the INS' error, but they don't give a damn, I was the one to suffer. So be ready, be prepared and don't antagonize the INS, it will only hurt you
My two cents
SV
 
They can do anything they want to

I know that INS can ask for any additional documents. And more - in case of naturalization they are required by law to conduct “field investigation”, that is going to applicant’s neighborhood and workplace (this requirement is routinely waived since 1980 for the lack of resources). I know that the burden of proof is on the applicant. And I am not crazy to “antagonize” INS telling them what to do. It is obviously “Love it or Leave it” situation.
What I would like to know is not what INS can do, but what are they actually doing.

Any comments based on naturalization experience?

Thank you.
 
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At Interview evrything depends on Officer's ATTITUDE

At Interview evrything depends on Officer's ATTITUDE.

Person to person may vary
 
Which District Office?

To emc1234

Are you talking about naturalization interviews?
Which INS District Office?

Thank you.
 
yes, i am talking about Naturalization. Dallas DO. If you read experience from all interviews on this group, i do not recall anyone ever showed tax return. however, it does not hurt you if you bring one, just in case. if you pay tax, there is nothing to hide. i agree with joeF. be honest and straightforward at interview.
 
Liberal View from INS District Office

I read in the U. S. Department of Justice report: “some DAOs believed that if they had any questions whether the applicant had filed income tax forms or paid child support they could continue the case and request that the applicant supply corroborating documentation. Other DAOs believed that absent concrete evidence of a possibly disqualifying issue, no further documentation should be required.”

Based on experience, which INS District Offices take the later view on further documentation in naturalization cases?
 
they asked my school transcripts

I had an interview in Oakland CA on 8/12/2002 and the officer asked my school transcripts. I gave the transcripts next day and am still waiting their decision :-( I called Laguna INS office and visited San francisco INS office although answer was same

" Your file waiting for supervisor's decision "

I am waiting for the decision since 8/13/2002

How long should I wait for the decision ? How can solve the problem ?

Thanks in advance

Akinar
 
Hi Akinar,

Your interviewer asked you for school transcripts during your naturalization interview? Are you currently in school?

I had no idea that we needed to provide that for our naturalization application. What else did they ask from you?

Thanks!
 
Actually I got my green card during the 1995 then I returned to my native country to get my master degree. However, I come back to the US on September 15 1997 with re-entry permit.

In this case, 4 years and one day is enough for citizenship so I applied after 4 years and three months, which is November 2001.

During the naturalization interview the officer asked my school transcript for school years 1995-1996 :-( The officer suppose to ask anything between 1997 to present not before.

However, I did not need to hide anything and gave all my school transcript.

Waiting is the most horrible thing.

Any advice ????

Akinar

p.s. I have no relationship with any school since 1997
 
Hi Akinar,

I have appplied for naturalization in the same scenario as yours. I got my green card in 1996 and then went back to my country to complete my undergrad. Got back here in 1998 on a reentry permit and then applied in June, 2002 after 4 yrs. Still waiting for interview. Any advice/experience you can share for this scenario would be greatly appreciated.

As far as your waiting is concerned, it might be because of the general freeze that was put on the citizenship for the last cpl of months.
 
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