Tax transcript question

M

macimano

Registered Users (C)
Can anyone clarify what tax transcript I need for the interview: a "tax return transcript" or a "tax account transcript" (or something else)? Also, how are these related to IRS Form 1722? I called the IRS number and the automated system is quite confusing and there does not seem to be an option to request Form 1722.

VSC/Baltimore

PD 9/11/06
FP 9/28/06
ID 1/31/07
 
macimano said:
Can anyone clarify what tax transcript I need for the interview: a "tax return transcript" or a "tax account transcript" (or something else)? Also, how are these related to IRS Form 1722? I called the IRS number and the automated system is quite confusing and there does not seem to be an option to request Form 1722.

VSC/Baltimore

PD 9/11/06
FP 9/28/06
ID 1/31/07
Click to expand...
Go the following web site: http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq-kw31.html

It has tel number to call (800) 829-1040. Request "Request for Transcript of Tax Return". (4506 - T).

It is free and they will send you the Current year's tax transcript and the previous 3 years tax transcripts. It is free. It takes about 10 days for this to arrive. Form 1722 is not used anymore. It does not exist. Just ask for Tax Trascript and you should be fine.

There is no need for Request for Copy of Tax Return which costs $39.00 per return.
 
I concur with the previous post. I got mine within 7 working days. A transcript is a summary statement whereas a Copy ($39) is a microfilm copy of the actual 1040 you filed.
 
Thank you for the advice. Just for clarification: the IRS phone system offers two options, in addition to the $39 copy of your tax return. One is the plain transcript of your return and the other one is one that includes payments, adjustments etc. I understand that I need only the first one. Please confirm.

Also, my wife and I have our interviews at the same time. Does this mean that we will be interviewed together? If not, do I need to order another set of the transcripts? We filed our returns jointly and the IRS system apparently has them linked to my SSN.

Thank you.
 
macimano said:
Thank you for the advice. Just for clarification: the IRS phone system offers two options, in addition to the $39 copy of your tax return. One is the plain transcript of your return and the other one is one that includes payments, adjustments etc. I understand that I need only the first one. Please confirm.

Also, my wife and I have our interviews at the same time. Does this mean that we will be interviewed together? If not, do I need to order another set of the transcripts? We filed our returns jointly and the IRS system apparently has them linked to my SSN.

Thank you.
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When asked say you want the Tax Transcript.

Form 4506 - T. "Request for Transcript of Tax Return".

It is free. So you won't be charged. Speak with the IRS officer instead of choosing various options on the phone.

Just order one set of transcrits and make photocopies.
 
macimano said:
Thank you for the advice. Just for clarification: the IRS phone system offers two options, in addition to the $39 copy of your tax return. One is the plain transcript of your return and the other one is one that includes payments, adjustments etc. I understand that I need only the first one. Please confirm.

Also, my wife and I have our interviews at the same time. Does this mean that we will be interviewed together? If not, do I need to order another set of the transcripts? We filed our returns jointly and the IRS system apparently has them linked to my SSN.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
macimano,

Please post your Interview experience (Documents asked during the interview, questions asked, Oath etc.) on the Baltimore web page.

http://boards.immigrationportal.com/showthread.php?p=1576698
 
Thanks. Yes, I will post my interview experience.

I already ordered the tax transcript through the automated system. I chose the plain tax return transcript, not the tax account transcript.
 
You shouldn't need two copies. If you have different immigration officers and the interviews happen at exactly the same time, and both ask for tax transcripts, just say "my wife has them and she's in with another IO". These folks are pretty reasonable (at least my wife's and mine were (Dallas DO)).
 
For some reason, IRS automated system said that the transcripts for 2000 and 2001 is not available.

Can I take copies of my 1040? I have copies of all my 1040s.
 
Hi,
A tax transcript is better:
_ it comes from the IRS, so you did send you return to them
_ it comes in a standard format ( USCIS officers are not IRS people...)

But if the transcripts for a given year are not available for some reason, then, yes, take the photocopies you made of your return before sending it.
If you have, please take anything that shows that you sent it to the IRS.
Ex : For my 1st tax return, I requested my refund to be a check, not a direct deposit. So, when the check arrived, I made a photocopy of it before bringing it to my bank.
 
I absolutelly agree with Raul and N400.....Do not pay $39....

Ask for tax transcripts only (they are free) and usually arrive in 4-5 days. Interestingly, IRS claims it will take them 2 weeks to deliver. So, I guess they always overachive :)

Keep in mind that Tax Transcripts are only available for the last 3 yrs. Beyond that point, you will have to bring your copies or (god forbid) if you do not have them......then you will really have to fork out $39 and hope that IRS has your file in good order. However, 95% probaility....I do not think this is the case with you. Correct me if I'm wrong...

So, relax....this is should be an easy excercise....UNDER THE ASSUMPTION that your case is straightforward and that you do not have fishy things in your N-400 application: suspicious marriage, long absences from US, weak links with US etc.

I brought tax transcripts and copies of my tax filings with me at the interview. I did not show them since I was not asked to produce any of them nor my IO really cared about it. This is because my case was 100% straightforward and he did not want to waste his time.

All these "tax papers" were just serving as my back-up. All in all my interview was very short and fast. Keep in mind that it is not unreasonable for IO officer to ask you to produce for example Form2555 (foreign earned income) if you claimed that deduction and officer has some doubts about your residence. Also, some people are even asked to produce their state tax returns and prove that they never filed their income tax (either state or federal) as non-residents.

My philosophy was that I rather be 100% prepared for any eventuality to deal during the interview than handling with post-interview sumbissions or explanations.

In my case, it paid 300%....I was worried about nothing...had a great case...and smooth interview.

While there are some general rules and guidances....It all depends on your case.

My 2c.....
 
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I have my interview coming up on March 6. I have ordered tax transcripts for the last 3 years and I have copies from the previous years.

Question: Do I need to bring state tax returns as well?
 
Nope, just federal (and, they probably won't ask for them (and, if they don't ask, don't mention them)).

Tax information is important if you are trying to prove marriage (to qualify for a 3 year (rather than 5 year) wait), or if you were out of the country a lot (to prove that you never intended to give up your residence).
 
Agree....My advice....do not order state tax transcripts. But, carry copies of your state tax returns as a back-up to your interview.

I know that some people will consider this overdoing....but I think this is really at no extra cost since you already have these tax copies for your file anyhow. Plus it can be potentially helpful if USCIS ever asks for them.

Of course, you do not need to show any of your "back-up" papers until and unless you are (1) asked for it or (2) need to support your claim if you see USCIS is strongly suspicious about your record.

Needless to say.....but I will say it anyhow.....You are almost certain to extend your interview, casue confusion, increase stresss and potentially even jeopardize your interview if you start showing everything you brought with you to the interview. You need to have a good sense of what do you need to show vs. what do you need to keep as pure back-up.
 
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I'm looking at form 4506T and it has check boxes for -

a. Return Transcript
b. Account Transcript
c. Record of account

Do we need to check all three boxes ? If you phone in instead of mailing this form do you have the same choices ?
 
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My 2 cents: have your tax transcripts with you and be ready to hand them over to the IO if he ASKS.

My interview was yesterday and the IO did ask about my tax transcripts and thanks to this forum I was able to pull out the envelope from the IRS and show the last 4 years of taxes via the transcripts, which is every line of the the tax return typed up in two pages or so per year.

The IO was happy I was prepared. He took the tax transcripts, looked through them noting the years and put them in my file.

I think the transcripts are proof that you filed, I thought of bringing copies of my returns would be the same, but it is not proof one filed.

I got mine via fax from IRS after calling. They also sent me a copy by mail and were very speedy. Just call and talk to someone there. Good luck!
 
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