Never filed taxes, wants to be US Citizen

[Kitty4]

I haven't read all of the replies, so forgive me if you have covered this already. I worked in Immigration law as a paralegal, and your friend absolutely needs an attorney. A good attorney (and you should investigate who is considered to have a good reputation in your area and not just go to anyone) can actually help your friend far better than you or anyone on this board. The attorney not only helps to fill out the paperwork, but also attends any meetings with the IRS. He/she can advise the client when to leave an answer blank or how to legally answer questions. The attorney also is familiar with the agents at Immigration and which ones are tougher than others and how to handle the interviews with them. It is a huge mistake to fill out the forms by yourself and try to go to the interviews without legal representation. I know it can cost a great deal of money, but some attorneys will agree to a payment plan or charge a flat rate which they will divide in half: half payment at the beginning and half much later, giving the client the opportunity to come up with the money.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by Kitty4

I haven't read all of the replies, so forgive me if you have covered this already. I worked in Immigration law as a paralegal, and your friend absolutely needs an attorney. A good attorney (and you should investigate who is considered to have a good reputation in your area and not just go to anyone) can actually help your friend far better than you or anyone on this board. The attorney not only helps to fill out the paperwork, but also attends any meetings with the IRS. He/she can advise the client when to leave an answer blank or how to legally answer questions. The attorney also is familiar with the agents at Immigration and which ones are tougher than others and how to handle the interviews with them. It is a huge mistake to fill out the forms by yourself and try to go to the interviews without legal representation. I know it can cost a great deal of money, but some attorneys will agree to a payment plan or charge a flat rate which they will divide in half: half payment at the beginning and half much later, giving the client the opportunity to come up with the money.

Thank you. I did not mean to imply that we would do this ourselves. We are recommending an attorney for him. Doing a sample tax form was just to show him what it's like. He's not going to file the sample.

[trying harder]

Originally Posted by dkf747

Are these clinics held in the DC area? How will I know what to look for? Is there a web page for announcing them?

There's usually on in April in DC and/or Baltimore. It's run by the American Immigration Lawyers Association, so watch their website for Citizenship Day. AILA - American Immigration Lawyers Association

[blu4u]

Originally Posted by STT Resident

I can assure you that the free services available through the IRS to sort out tax problems are as readily available to GC holders as they are to US citizens as I've benefited from their assistance myself and my immigration status had nothing to do with it.

Nothing in this world is free. The IRs wants thier money. They help you pay them. IRS employees are paid with federal tax dollars. You may not be paying a fee. The rest of US tax payers are paying.

. Filing taxes is one of the conditions of maintaing a visa. Just becuse "the above poster" got away with not filing taxes and IRS didn't contact INS to have "the aboveposter" deported, doesn't mean that everyone else will have the same luck. My advise stands.
I'm glad that OP will ble to help his friedn sort out the tax mess. However Istill suggest he raitn an atty to make sure verything is order befor apporoching the IRS.

[dkf747]

That's exactly what we're going to do. The employer just started paying him with checks rather than cash. Now there will be a paper trail.