Understandably, immigrants have plenty of uncertainty when it comes to paying taxes. However, while not having legal status just yet, tax payments can actually end up being beneficial down the line during your immigration process. Yes, tax payments are beneficial to the State, but they’re also highly useful to you.
Read on for the reasons why paying your taxes is important for your future immigration case.
Having Paid Your Taxes Helps You if You Are Detained
If you are ever detained and need to file for a bond redetermination hearing, having unpaid taxes may make things more complicated. A judge is more likely to allow you to get released on bail if you have a record of fulfilling your civic duties as much as you can, this includes paying taxes.
Paying Your Taxes Will Demonstrate Physical Presence for the “10 Year Rule”
If you have been living in the United States without documents for more than 10 years, you may be eligible to apply for Cancellation of Removal. This immigration benefit is extremely difficult to obtain, and one of the requirements a respondent must meet is demonstrating good moral character as well as 10 years of physical presence in the United States. One way to prove good moral character, as well as physical presence, is having paid your taxes for at least 10 years.
Paying Your Taxes Will Play a Key Role in Getting Your Citizenship
Good moral conduct is non-negotiable for getting citizenship in the United States. One of the best ways to do this is by paying your taxes. If you don’t pay your taxes or you owe money to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) you will not be granted your citizenship.
Conclusion
Undocumented immigrants worry that in paying their taxes, they will be sharing their information with the government looking to deport them. In truth, tax payment will bring only good things to their potential cases.
Are you looking for the best immigration lawyer in San Diego? Reach out to San Diego Immigration Law Office, a full-service immigration law firm dedicated to serving our client’s immigration needs. Contact us for a consultation.