danielm2

Thanks! All my worries were for naught, today my wife's boss gave her the correct tax forms. I guess that takes care of that.........

Hi All, My wife just started working at a Korean restaurant near us. Her first time being a waitress. It seems like it's alot of hard work for her, but so far so good. Her English is alright, but I think working at a Korean restaurant is better than a Chinese one. It's forcing her to use her English, as opposed to relying on her Chinese. BUT, a number of people there are dealing with the whole English as a second language issue, so everybody understands the issues that each individual is working through. One question/problem that I see arising though is the question of the tax forms and working legally. My wife has her green card and everything is alright on her end, but I'm not sure if her boss will have her fill out a W-2 form so as to take out wages for taxes, social security, etc. Throughout my lifetime a few of my friends have looked at this as a 100% plus of working at a restaurant. However, being that my wife isn't a citizen, just got her GC, etc, I'd hate for there to be problems with the IRS and things like that. Has anybody ever encountered this problem or have any advice? I'm not the resident tax expert, but would it be possible to just somehow claim all her earnings as miscellaneous income or something like that? Thanks in advance for any help! Dan (and Xuejing)

My wife and I filed 170 days after she arrived in the country, and no problem. She's on her way! Work permit and travel document arrived this past week, now we're just waiting on the green card. dan and xuejing

Congrates!! Hope we have the same message coming soon!

Nice.

Ohh, great link Dan!

Xuejing and I play every Saturday. I thought I would enjoy it going in, but have found that I really like playing. Plus, it's always a good time when you can combine having fun, getting some exercise, and meeting new people.

Xuejing and I sent in her AOS package (Green Card, EAD, Travel) March 27. We received all 3 NOA's in the mail April 7, postmarked April 5th. And today, April 8th, we received Xuejing's biometrics appointment - for April 21. The strange thing is none of the 3 case numbers are showing up in the online system yet..........hmmmmm. So for the biometrics appointment, pretty much all we have to make sure to bring is the appointment letter and Xuejing's passport??? From my perspective, much quicker than I would have guessed! Not that I'm getting a head of myself or anything, but so far so good......... Sending quick moving thoughts to all those still awaiting our pals at customs and immigration!! Dan~

woo-hoo! congrates!

Sounds great, thanks for the quick response....I really appreciate it. Have a great weekend! Dan

Hello All, I had registered on the USCIS's website during the first part of the K1 process and kept track of the case status. The other week Xuejing and I filed the papers for her AOS application. April 3 the check was cashed. No NOA yet or any other word from USCIS. I am looking at the back of the check for the case status number so I can register online and start getting updates. However, I can't find the case number............. On the UCSIS's website it says the case status number will be a 13 digit number starting with either EAC, WAC, LIN, or SRC. I did not see any numbers like that on the back of the cashed check. There was a 13 digit number in the top left, but it did not come up in the USCIS's system as of yet. Plus, it is very strange because the "number" started with MSC, as opposed to EAC, WAC, etc....... Anyone have any experience on this front???? Thank you very much! Best Wishes, Dan

Thanks for the replies! I ended up just filing her taxes because they were so simple (with no income, stocks, bonds, etc.), and I figure going through the visa process, getting her into the IRS system can't hurt anything. Thanks again!! Dan~

My fiancee arrived in the US in mid-October 2007, and we were married in early January 2008. Because we were not married in 2007, we can't file jointly. She had no income for 2007 (in China or the US), so does she have to file a tax return? I am horrible when it comes to taxes. Luckily everything for my situation is pretty straight forward.....I'm just not sure if I need to file a return for my wife or not. Thanks for the help! Dan (and Xuejing)

Today Xuejing and I went to out and about to try and get her I-693a supplement form filled out and taken care of. The first civil surgeon we went to, unfortunately closes at 1pm on Tuesday/Thursday, and being that we arrived at about 1:30pm, we were out of luck. Onto the second civil surgeon, we arrived and began to explain what we needed.........had a full medical done within the past year, all we need to take care of is getting this supplement filled out. The lady that was helping me tried to beat around the bush and said that everybody needs a full medical and the doctor won't sign off on anything that isn't. I then further detailed that Xuejing arrived in the US on a K-1 visa, and then showed the lady the part in the I-485 instructions that states that only the supplement needs to be filled out if a full medical has been done within the year. She asked if she could see the medical, and if it was done at this office. I was kind of shocked at this question, and replied that it was done in China, and that USCIS has the medical results and were given to them upon Xuejing entering the US. The lady's helper then said that the process for situations such as this is sending the I-693a supplement form back to China where Xuejing's immunizations were done (back-up......while in Guangzhou she had her immunizations done and has the little yellow book with her info), have them fill the form out, and mail it back to me. WHAT!?!?! I described the whole K-1 visa one more time to the lady, and she said she'd go ask the surgeon. She came back, and said the surgeon would do it for $50. Geez................... We're here in Milwaukee, WI, and we're getting blasted by a snowstorm. The lady's helper is a immigrant to the US as well (from the Philippines). She was very nice to us, and gave Xuejing lots of encouragement with her English. Because of the snowstorm, their medical offices have already been closed for tomorrow, and the helper said that if that was not the case, the civil surgeon probably would not have filled out our supplement form. He just filled it out today for the $50 because they're closed tomorrow and need some extra money made today. Man................ So, we got the form all filled out, but it just makes you want to beat your head against the wall when thinking about everything involved in this process............. Hope this info may help anybody out there - you have to be firm with these people! Staying warm in Milwaukee, Dan and Xuejing

Great News, and a special New Year's treat!