February 2018 submission- i-130, i-485, i-765 - concurrent filing

[kwueke]

Worried!!

Package sent March 17
Delivered March 19
Checks cashed March 29
Biometrics April 16
It?s been almost four months since I sent in my package and still no employment authorization or interview date. Should I be worried? I?m in the Chicago area, who else is applying for the green card around the Chicago area? How long does it usually take?
Thanks all, in anticipation

[cali2018]

Anyone with the glitch get an interview today? Still have the glitch?

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

You got married at 11:55pm on December 31st 2017? Please tell us your spouse did not file taxes as single, thats usually MASSIVE red flag for interviews.

MAJOR red flag.

[pyx]

update on i-131

My I-131 updated to approved this morning
now waiting for my interview

Quick Question
will usps drop my card in the mail box or will require signature?

[Plz]

MAJOR red flag.

Yes. I didn?t work at all but my husband and I who is on a 1099 are still going to file jointly for his 2017. He asked for an extension and we should be filing in two weeks. People don?t know but both spouses don?t have to have an income to file jointly. One income is ok to filing jointly and I bet USCIS officer?s know this.

My understanding is either to file jointly or married filing separately for the purpose of AOS through marriage.

[polko213]

MAJOR red flag.

I don't see where is the major red flag... there a million reason why someone would file single being married, knowing that you will lose money. In my case for example, I had not worked that year, did not have an SSN, so to use TurboTax the only option was to do married separately but since I didnt have SSN it couldnt not be done electronically. Since she wouldnt lose that much money, we didnt bother go through that pain.

I think cataloguing it as MASSIVE or MAJOR redflag is being quite dramatic....

[cali2018]

I don't see where is the major red flag... there a million reason why someone would file single being married, knowing that you will lose money. In my case for example, I had not worked that year, did not have an SSN, so to use TurboTax the only option was to do married separately but since I didnt have SSN it couldnt not be done electronically. Since she wouldnt lose that much money, we didnt bother go through that pain.

I think cataloguing it as MASSIVE or MAJOR redflag is being quite dramatic....

First off to be clear, you can file MFS as you said with no harm to deductions. But you cannot file single.

Something called the law for one. USCIS likes people who follow the law. Next, USCIS officer will basically give you zero chance of an approval on the spot if you cannot show joint taxes, so you are delaying your entire process because you wanted to file electronically vs doing a paper submission.

Many IOs will not even look at the rest of your documents from past examples of people?s interviews. Come on you are married why at all would you think its a good idea to evade the IRS and federal government.

In most people’s minds someone filing single is a clear sign that the spouse has unreported assets and income overseas.

[cali2018]

Yes. I didn?t work at all but my husband and I who is on a 1099 are still going to file jointly for his 2017. He asked for an extension and we should be filing in two weeks. People don?t know but both spouses don?t have to have an income to file jointly. One income is ok to filing jointly and I bet USCIS officer?s know this.

My understanding is either to file jointly or married filing separately for the purpose of AOS through marriage.

You are correct and yes getting extension was right move and then fixing it later.

[ALMThere]

First off to be clear, you can file MFS as you said with no harm to deductions. But you cannot file single.

Something called the law for one. USCIS likes people who follow the law. Next, USCIS officer will basically give you zero chance of an approval on the spot if you cannot show joint taxes, so you are delaying your entire process because you wanted to file electronically vs doing a paper submission.

Many IOs will not even look at the rest of your documents from past examples of people?s interviews. Come on you are married why at all would you think its a good idea to evade the IRS and federal government.

In most people?s minds someone filing single is a clear sign that the spouse has unreported assets and income overseas.

Hey! I just realize that my husband?s CPA did his taxes without my name 😫. Is it fixable? And If when I have my interview could I bring it in revised jointed tax return? Do you think it?s going to minimize our mistake?

Thank you!

[MicaAshani]

My I-131 updated to approved this morning
now waiting for my interview

Quick Question
will usps drop my card in the mail box or will require signature?

Hi, congrats on I-131. When did you file? I'm still waiting on mine to be approved.

[cali2018]

Hey! I just realize that my husband?s CPA did his taxes without my name 😫. Is it fixable? And If when I have my interview could I bring it in revised jointed tax return? Do you think it?s going to minimize our mistake?

Thank you!

Yes fixable and yes final tax transcript will be requested at interview. He has a CPA, ask the CPA to help you get a SSN/ITIN now. Fixing it will be fine. Going to an interview totally thinking you are in the right not a good idea.

[Plz]

I don't see where is the major red flag... there a million reason why someone would file single being married, knowing that you will lose money. In my case for example, I had not worked that year, did not have an SSN, so to use TurboTax the only option was to do married separately but since I didnt have SSN it couldnt not be done electronically. Since she wouldnt lose that much money, we didnt bother go through that pain.

I think cataloguing it as MASSIVE or MAJOR redflag is being quite dramatic....

By law you are not supposed to file single if you were married the year you are filing. There are two options Married filing seperately or married filing Jointly. USCIS prefers married filing jointly unless there is a valid reason why couple filed separately.

[kaylip]

Something called the law for one. USCIS likes people who follow the law. Next, USCIS officer will basically give you zero chance of an approval on the spot if you cannot show joint taxes, so you are delaying your entire process because you wanted to file electronically vs doing a paper submission.

Joint taxes isn't a red flag or would deny a case with AOS because they already know of the limitations of the intending immigrant's status. Every petitioner whether marriage based or not, HAS to file their taxes and send them in as proof that they are paying them as it is a requirement for the I864. Jointly or not. Even at my interview the IO told us that joint finances is imperative when filing I751 and the immigration officer even gave us a list of what they would expect when I file I751.
This forum is very useful but a lot of users exaggerate on interview requirements. It's good to be overly prepared but to disrupt your life and future just to please an interviewing officer means that your marriage is ALMOST genuine and not fully genuine. Once that couple has other concrete evidence of their relationship then lacking in one area shouldn't be a problem.
For e.g everyone including relatives of mine were saying that we need a joint bank account and joint bills but my husband and I decided not to stress too much on it since we were having a hard time getting those. My husband said was like, we are real and we have other evidences of relationship and don't worry about it. The officer just asked 2 questions and only wanted 3 documents.
What I will say though is that proof of living together is mandatory because even though we sent in renter's insurance and lease he wanted an updated one.

[cali2018]

By law you are not supposed to file single if you were married the year you are filing. There are two options Married filing seperately or married filing Jointly. USCIS prefers married filing jointly unless there is a valid reason why couple filed separately.

This...Kaylip is correct, I am sure their spouse did not file ?single?. I apologize for confusing people, I use the word joint as filing married which is not the correct tax terminology. ‘Joint’ as in your spouse name is on the taxes but even as MFS, my bad for mixing people up.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

This...Kaylip is correct, I am sure their spouse did not file ?single?. I apologize for confusing people, I use the word joint as filing married which is not the correct tax terminology. ?Joint? as in your spouse name is on the taxes but even as MFS, my bad for mixing people up.

There was no confusion. I understood what you meant. You clearly meant MFS. You had already stated that earlier.

- - - Updated - - -

I don't see where is the major red flag... there a million reason why someone would file single being married, knowing that you will lose money. In my case for example, I had not worked that year, did not have an SSN, so to use TurboTax the only option was to do married separately but since I didnt have SSN it couldnt not be done electronically. Since she wouldnt lose that much money, we didnt bother go through that pain.

I think cataloguing it as MASSIVE or MAJOR redflag is being quite dramatic....

Well, polko213, you are free to do as you see fit. It's YOUR green card, isn't it?