Employment mistake on application

[mango347]

I am looking over my naturalization application and realized I made a mistake in my employment section as far as how long I have worked. Would it be okay that I correct that with the officer the day of the interview? I am worried that they will think I lied, but it was an honest mistake. On that note, I did not do my taxes in 2016 and 2017 because I was unemployed. My husband is an engineer and works full time and supports the both of us especially during the time I was unemployed. Towards the end of 2017, I started my small business and did not make much income so again husband was supporting me.

I can still bring my taxes for 2013-2015, but they are 60-110 pages long... I did them on turbo tax. I am not sure if its necessary to bring them or what to do. please help!

[N400questions]

1) Date mistake: Mistakes happen and you'll have a chance to clear it up at the interview.

2) Taxes - didn't file them
The questions is... SHOULD you have filed them or not?
For example..The rules for 2018 from H&R Block are listed here: https://www.hrblock.com/tax-center/i...to-file-taxes/
It depends on how much you made and whether you filed jointly or separately.
If your husband filed as "married filing separately" and if you made $5 or more (say from interest or dividends etc) then you SHOULD have filed taxes (if I am understanding that H&R website correctly).
If you SHOULD have filed taxes but didn't... this could be problematic and messy.
Also, if your husband filed as "married filing jointly" then I suppose they may want to see HIS tax returns too.
The only way you can prove to USCIS how your husband filed is to have HIS tax returns. (I am only guessing on this part but it sounds logical to me). Hopefully someone in a similar situation will let us know if I'm right here.

3) Taxes for 2013-2015
The tax returns can help and yes you should take them. However you don't need to take the entire Turbotax output. Just take those components used for actually filing the return. Turbotax has various "export options" or "PDF save options". Use the one that generates the minimal paperwork needed to file the return.
However, this information is helpful but may not be SUFFICIENT because it only shows if you OWED taxes but it does not prove that you PAID what you owed.
Therefore, I recommend that you get two transcripts for each year from the iRS. They are free and you can apply for them online.
One transcript is called the "Tax return Transcript". This is basically a list of all the numbers from the 1040 etc.
The other transcript is called an "Account Transcript". This shows how much you owed, how much you paid and a net balance of zero for the year (assuming you paid everything).

Hope that helps

[mango347]

Thank you for answering my questions; I really appreciate your help. When you said not to worry about the dates, I was relieved. To be honest, what happened was a long time ago, I had put the wrong years for each employer on my Linkedin. For example, there's one for Sept 2015 - Dec 2017, but I meant to put Dec 2015. I really had no intention of putting in the wrong dates for some of my employers and I am not sure what to tell the officer on Friday that won't seem like I did it on purpose. I have no reason and no intention to do any harm to my application and have never gotten in trouble with the law. Your input is always so greatly appreciated.

[N400questions]

When you say... "I am not sure what to tell the officer on Friday that won't seem like I did it on purpose".... My recommendation is.... just tell him what you are telling us. It sounds perfectly reasonable to me to make a typo. I mix up dates continually.

By the way... there is nothing that says that an applicant for citizenship has to be employed. That would exclude "house-wives" (sorry if that's not a PC term these days). It would also exclude retirees. It would also exclude people who are independently wealthy or simply have saved up enough money that they feel they don't even need to work any longer.

Just be yourself, be honest and try to relax. :-)

[mango347]

1) Date mistake: Mistakes happen and you'll have a chance to clear it up at the interview.

2) Taxes - didn't file them
The questions is... SHOULD you have filed them or not?
For example..The rules for 2018 from H&R Block are listed here: https://www.hrblock.com/tax-center/i...to-file-taxes/
It depends on how much you made and whether you filed jointly or separately.
If your husband filed as "married filing separately" and if you made $5 or more (say from interest or dividends etc) then you SHOULD have filed taxes (if I am understanding that H&R website correctly).
If you SHOULD have filed taxes but didn't... this could be problematic and messy.
Also, if your husband filed as "married filing jointly" then I suppose they may want to see HIS tax returns too.
The only way you can prove to USCIS how your husband filed is to have HIS tax returns. (I am only guessing on this part but it sounds logical to me). Hopefully someone in a similar situation will let us know if I'm right here.

3) Taxes for 2013-2015
The tax returns can help and yes you should take them. However you don't need to take the entire Turbotax output. Just take those components used for actually filing the return. Turbotax has various "export options" or "PDF save options". Use the one that generates the minimal paperwork needed to file the return.
However, this information is helpful but may not be SUFFICIENT because it only shows if you OWED taxes but it does not prove that you PAID what you owed.
Therefore, I recommend that you get two transcripts for each year from the iRS. They are free and you can apply for them online.
One transcript is called the "Tax return Transcript". This is basically a list of all the numbers from the 1040 etc.
The other transcript is called an "Account Transcript". This shows how much you owed, how much you paid and a net balance of zero for the year (assuming you paid everything).

Hope that helps

I believe my husband filed us jointly for 2018. I was unemployed 2016 and 2017 so had no income, therefore my husband was my sole support. When you mentioned about the IRS tax transcripts, I immediately went on to download, however during the process I may have made a mistake in the dropdowns and my account has been disabled for 24 hours. This happened around this time yesterday, but when I tried to create again right now, it still says I am locked out. I called IRS and they said there's nothing they can do about it because they themselves cannot reset or get into my account due to security. This is frustrating. I was hoping to download my tax returns from 2012-2015 at least, but I can't. You mentioned TurboTax won't be enough, so now I am stuck. I am hoping my husband can create an account to at least get his transcripts out to show that he paid his taxes thus showing he is the supporter. As for TurboTax export options, I do not see them... please help! I hope I am not screwed.

[N400questions]

I had similar issues with the online account registration with the IRS. In my case, at the point where they want to authenticate you, they ask for a credit card number and the system then contacts the Experian credit agency to see if you sound "real". In my case that failed and I could never get past that point. I wasted HOURS talking to the IRS and to Experian and nobody knew how to resolve it (or even cared). So don't waste time following that route.

Your alternative is to request them by mail. Again it's free... but you won't get the results by Friday. That's a pity.

If you are lucky, the Interviewing adjudicator WON'T ask to see them... if you are unlucky... they WILL. In that case you'll be sent off with a "Request for Evidence" to go get those transcripts which just adds more delay into the process. Some adjudicators seem to be more "helpful" than others.

I am creating a thread that will attempt to describe some of this paperwork requirement but I haven't populated it yet. All I have at present is a copy of the standard Interview Results form and some tips on what to do in the interview and what to ask if you get a result of "Cannot be approved yet". Maybe you should check it out.
It's here: https://www.immihelp.com/forum/usa-c...elated-to-n400

Whatever happens... you are not "screwed" (to use your term)... you just might be frustrated if you get delayed.

As far as Turbotax goes, sImply google for "turbotax print return for filing by mail"
When I did that I found several things including this..

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/pr...tware/00/26256

[N400questions]

By the way... if your tax returns show that the IRS owed you a REFUND then you may be golden.
Obviously you didn't owe anything and so there's no need to prove that you paid what you owed. You DIDN'T owe anything.
However... the interviewer may not be as "reasonable" as I am being... they may request the transcripts anyway.
Good Luck

[mango347]

Thank you so much! Worse case, I hope they ask for the transcripts than deny my application on the spot. That would be devastating. On that note, I read somewhere if I were to bring tax returns I need to bring the last 5 years worth. But I am also hearing unless married to US citizen, then only the last 3 years is ok. Is this accurate? I've been a PR for 25 years and my husband was born a citizen here in US and we got married in 2018.

I also want to point out that while I have my own business and pay sales tax, sometimes I am late on the payment period (I really need to fix on paying on time...) would the officer see this as my avoiding to pay? I do eventually pay, it just ends up becoming late in which I pay a penalty and its interest. It's not much, but if I pay them on time, I wouldn't have to pay at all. Any way, would love to know if this situation is as bad as not paying at all?

[N400questions]

No no no... they won't deny you on the spot for this kind of thing. If you've murdered someone... yes they will!

The question about 3 years or 5 years depends on how you applied and on what basis you are asking to be considered eligible for Naturalization.

If you are married to a US citizen and live with that US citizen and you've been together married for 3 years.... then you would only need 3 years of taxes. The USCIS is basically giving people a break if they are married to US citizens for 3 or more years.

In your case... you have NOT been married for 3 years therefore you are applying under your own qualification as a 5 year green-card holder.
So in your case... you will need evidence for 5 years. make sense?

The whole business about taxes is part of the question... "are you a morally responsible person or are you a bad girl with moral turpitude?"
Some one who refuses to pay taxes or still owes taxes may be considered to be a bad girl... that's why they want proof that you have paid your taxes or have a well-defined payment plan in place with the IRS to pay back any money you owe. The worst they would do for taxes is send you away and tell you to get your tax situation together and reply with a request for evidence after you've taken care of the tax issue. It would add a delay but not result in a rejection.

Some one who files late but has still paid their taxes and all penalties is golden because they've squared away their debt to the IRS.... they are a "good girl" after all. make sense?

So to summarize:
1) You will need 5 years of evidence
2) You are a "good girl" after all so no cause for concern. Procrastination is not a crime. ;-)

[mango347]

I was able to access the Tax Return Transcripts and Account Transcripts from IRS! I was curious, why did you recommend those categories only and not "Record of Account Transcript" and/or "Wage & Income Transcript"? And are you sure the above is what I should print out? Not doubting you, I am just a worrywart. :P

[N400questions]

This website explains all the Transcript types

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-...-to-order-them

1) Tax Return Transcript
2) Tax Account Transcript
3) Record of Account Transcript
4) Wage and Income Transcript
5) Verification of Non-filing Letter

I was suggesting getting types (1) and (2)

Type (3) is just a combination of (1) and (2) according to the website
Type (4) is not really interesting... those numbers should be available on type (1) if you ever want them
Type (5) might be a good way for you to document the years that you didn't file taxes

So I suggest you get (1) (2) and (5).
Alternatively (3) and (5) may work but I've never looked at the contents of (3) to be absolutely certain

Get (1) & (2) for the years where you DID file taxes
get (5) for the years where you did NOT file taxes

By the way... since you are getting these, you can probably skip the Turbotax versions... However I would take the Turbotax versions anyway because I prefer to have too much information instead of not enough. Print paper is cheap.

[Mike E]

It is within three years so you should file your 2016 and 2017 tax returns now. That way when you get the RFE you will be able to provide them.

If you haven’t sent your n-400 then you need to correct it before sending. Otherwise correct it at the interview.

[N400questions]

It is within three years so you should file your 2016 and 2017 tax returns now. That way when you get the RFE you will be able to provide them.

If you haven’t sent your n-400 then you need to correct it before sending. Otherwise correct it at the interview.

It's too late for her in this case (You'd need to read ALL her threads to figure that out).
She had her interview yesterday I believe.
I hope she follows up with a summary of how that went... she had lots of threads and lots of questions but I think she was well-prepared in the end (except for a court disposition for a jaywalking ticket). I was hoping they'd not fuss over that minor issue.

[Mike E]

It's too late for her in this case (You'd need to read ALL her threads to figure that out).
She had her interview yesterday I believe.
I hope she follows up with a summary of how that went... she had lots of threads and lots of questions but I think she was well-prepared in the end (except for a court disposition for a jaywalking ticket). I was hoping they'd not fuss over that minor issue.

Too late for her but not to late for others.

Thanks fir the tip about the jaywalking. I will read up on that.

[N400questions]

Too late for her but not to late for others.

Thanks fir the tip about the jaywalking. I will read up on that.

Generally.. I assume that they may want final dispositions for ALL legal cases (especially if they are having a bad hair day at USCIS). As you know, If they want to be really awkward at USCIS they can ask to see proof that you've paid all fines and satisfied all paroles and community services etc etc. It seems crazy to get a final disposition for jaywalking... but we've seen lots of crazy RFEs on the forum and I just want to avoid any possibility of missing anything. I'm going to my interview with a truck load of paperwork just in case.