I864 Urgent, please help

[ctzn]

Hi,

I am on H1 and my wife recently became a citizen. She is filing for my PR. She is a student so the household income is fulfilled only after showing my income. We got married in 2008 and filed tax separately for the year 2007 but jointly filed the taxes for 2008. In question No. 25 it asks us to mention total income by tax year for the 3 most recent tax years. How should I enter details for those 3 years?
Can I add my income for the year 2007 and 2008 in the total income column?
I appreciate your inputs for the same.

Thanks.

[jain_pk]

Yes

Household income includes your income as long as you live in the same residence. Go ahead include yours, no need to fill I-864A either. It can be a bit confusing

[ctzn]

Thank you for your reply. You have been helping me out with this.
One more- I came to US only in 2007 so wife wife's income for 2006 was way below the poverty level (she lived with her parents). We got married in 2008 only and filed tax jointly only for 2008. We did not even know each other in 2007. Should I still put her income for 2006, and our joint for 2007 and 2008 tax year on question no. 25?
Thanks once again, jain_pk.

[ajaykaul]

You don't need to include the earnings for all three years. The latest year earning should be enough to display the financial support. Please read the instructions carefully mentioned in the form.

[jain_pk]

I-864 is required to show that you can take financial responsibility of the immigrant. If you are including your income which I assume you are, I would recommed that you include your tax returns for last 3 years even though they were filed seperately.

So, for 2008, you have a joint tax return. For 2007 and 2006 include YOUR tax returns. Including these returns shows that your income is more than the required household income and will not be liability on the govt.

[ctzn]

Thank you guys for your replies.
But since I only came in 2007, I do not have a tax return for the year 2006. Do you think it will be a good idea to have my cousin fill out a joint sponsor I864?