I-864 and Form Questions

What is annual income?

While chatting on Avvo, a question was asked about how to complete the I-864 income questions (Part 6).

Our Response



Ah -- the question of the I-864. Look on the bright side -- you are not trying to get multiple sponsors! Or self sponsoring...or any other more complicated fumbles that cause heartache on this form.

I believe a colleague on this board answered correctly -- just provide the annual income (expected) for the year. The real key to the I-864 are tax returns. As for Part 6, Question 6c, the instruction state:

6. Annual Household Income. This section is used to determine the sponsor's household income. Take your annual individual income from Item Number 5 and enter it on Item Number 6.c. If this amount is greater than 125 percent (or 100 percent if you are on active duty in the U.S. military and sponsoring your spouse or child) of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size from Part 5., Item Number 8., you do not need to include any household member's income. See Form I-864P for reference on the Poverty Guidelines.

So you asked if Question 6c should be answered with a monthly income statement...no. You would re-use the answer from question 5. Just test that to ensure you meet minimum poverty levels.

I-864's are usually pretty straight forward, so you probably do not need an attorney to help with this, However, if you have a bizarre, non-normative situation (i.e. poverty limits apply, joint sponsors, the sponsored alien is assisting with support, etc.), then give us a ring! We'd be glad to chat with you and you might need nothing more than a simple consult (a lot cheaper than hiring an attorney for the whole thing). 703-402-2723.

Sean Hanover, Esq.
Hanover Law
www.hanoverlawpc.com
Offices in Fairfax and DC
888 16th St. NW
Washington, DC 20006