[braedensmommy]

Hi, All!
Well, I am leaving in exactly one week. I am very excited but very nervous. I just got a packet from my agency that has everything that I should bring.

They asked for three years tax returns and employment letters. I only have two years tax returns and have NO idea where the third year is?? Does anyone know where I might find these (does the IRS have a website)?? Do I really need them? What about these employment letters? Have you heard of these?

Thanks, everyone!!!!!
I greatly appreciate your help!!
Megan

[Pipercub]

The employment letters we had to have for our homestudy. It's just a letter from your and your husband's employers on the company letter head that basically says "{Name} is employed by {company} as a {job title}. {He/She} began working for our company on {date} and {his/her} yearly salary is {$$}.

Then you get it notarized.

I do know you can get copies of past years tax returns on the IRS.gov website. But it takes time for them to process your request and get it to you. I don't have any ideas for you. I hope you can get it figured out! {{Hugs}}

[WVUMom418]

Since we had visited we weren't asked to show any of that information. I had been told I wouldn't need it but I carried it just to be safe.

[whereintheworld]

Since we both visited before pgn, we didn't need anything. I would have been in trouble if they asked, since i didn't have ant financial info with me and i did the embassy appt alone.

[dspakowsky]

We both visited also, so we didn't need to bring anything. Some agencies ask you to bring it just in case, but I've never heard of anyone needing it if they visited.

[momtoelena]

There has actually been a change to the rules and now you only need your last tax return. That change was made in March of 2006. I did not visit so I brought 3 years tax returns, W-2's, most current paystubs (which should be what your agency means by employment letter) etc... I was asked for the 1 year tax return and had no porblems at the embassy. But everyone else is correct that if you visit you will (most likely) not be asked for the tax return. The families that had visited in our group did not need them.

Have a great trip! And don't forget the Embassy is a breeze. All the hard work is already done - don't worry about it!!!

[TerriBB]

This is what was posted a few months ago on our agency board. I'm not sure where the director found it...I had some questions, but they weren't answered...I'll question again when it's time to actually travel.


3) Changes to Affidavit of Support Requirements - for IR4 visas only

The Department of States has recently changed its requirements for filing the I-864 Affidavit of Support. Previously, a sponsor was required to provide copies of Federal income tax returns for the three most recent taxable years, along with evidence of current employment. Effective immediately, the sponsor is required to submit with their I-864 a certified copy of only the most recent Federal income tax return. If assets are needed to meet the minimum income requirement, sponsors also will be asked to submit evidence that the assets have a cash value that equals at least five times the difference between total household income and the poverty guideline for the household size, exclusive of liens, mortgages, and liabilities.

[momtoelena]

Terri,

That's the change I was referring to. Let me know if you have any questions. But it's basically saying that you only need your most recent tax return. Hopefully agencies are aware of this so people will not be fretting about getting all those older tax returns. During the waiting we have enough to be anxious about already...

[TerriBB]

What is you have "certified". That was my question for my agency - should we have a cover letter with the amount of our salaries notarized or sealed?

Yep, we're all a bit paranoid with all of the documents that we've gathered for the past months

Thanks!

[braedensmommy]

Thanks, everybody!
I feel better now. I just wish that my agency would have e-mailed me more current information. Oh, well, no shocker there!
Megan

[momtoelena]

Terri,

We had to have the I-864 signed by both of us and notarized within days of our trip to Guatemala but the tax return was not certified or anything. And they did not ask for w-2's, paystubs, or other proof of employment. The tax returns and the I-864 were all they wanted.

Hope this helps!