Amex application wants 4506-T form, but I've never filed taxes

[Anonymous]

Hi. I'm new to the United States this year, married my wife and filed for Adjustment of Status. My Employment Authorization Card and Social Security Card arrived in the mail this week, so I've opened a bank account, and applied for a couple of credit cards.  I was approved for an unsecured Discover It and a secured Cap 1, so I tried the Am-Ex pre-approval page and I was offered 3 different cards.

Upon completing the app for one of them I was asked to upload a 4506-T form.  This is where I'm stuck - I wasn't in the US last year, didn't work in the US, and didn't file taxes this year.  My now-wife did - as a single person head of household.  I also used her current income during the app, as until I find employment that is the only household income to which I have access.

Can I explain this to Amex and have them verify me another way?  If I can, what is the number to call them about? There is no contact number on the upload page or in the email.

Thanks

[Medic981]

Welcome to the myFICO forums!

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@Anonymous wrote:

I also used her current income during the app, as until I find employment that is the only household income to which I have access.

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Here is the problem. Your wife's income is not your income. I would abandon the application as you are unable to prove the income you stated as your own. However, you can claim household income because the law states that your spouse’s income is as good as your own independent income when it comes to applying for a credit card.

If you claimed her income instead of household income when you applied then you might need to abandon the application as you have never filed a US tax return and can not provide the requested documentation. 

You could call Amex and explain the situation and see if they can work out the income issues.

[Anonymous]

Similiar situation for a friend of mine who is a new grad student. For some reasons her fellowship is not taxable. Plus her recent arrival, there's no tax filed at all and she was also asked for 4506-T by Amex. They seem reluctant to take her offer letter and pay stub. Any suggestion?

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Similiar situation for a friend of mine who is a new grad student. For some reasons her fellowship is not taxable. Plus her recent arrival, there's no tax filed at all and she was also asked for 4506-T by Amex. They seem reluctant to take her offer letter and pay stub. Any suggestion?

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As far as I know Amex does not accept alternatives and will insist on the Form 4506-T.

If your friend had an Amex card in her home country it might be possible to acquire one in the US through the Global Transfer Program; otherwise she will either have to provide the signed Form 4506-T or let the application lapse and try again once she files income taxes in the U.S.

[RonM21]

Welcome MattExpat. There does not appear to be much of a way out of these situations other than to not apply. If you are unable to provide the info that they desire, it is likely a lost cause at that point.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for the thread highjack but I’m curious . Do you have a FICO score? Just wondering how you got a Discover card.

Also what made Amex ask for the tax form? What triggers this?

Also have you considered having your wife make you and authorized user on her cards?

[Gifty16]

Since the income you used for the application is not yours, I would abandon the application.

I would recommend applying with her as joint applicants or adding you as AU on her credit cards.

[Anonymous]

Does AmEx allow joint applicants?  I think not.

[CCrew]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Does AmEx allow joint applicants?  I think not.

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Very few do these days. Amex certainly doesn't. Most are cardholder and any # of allowed AU's. 

[KDKobes]

Don’t take this the wrong way but don’t feel entitled to get a card at this point...what you have should be more than suffice with no income or job, in fact I’m shocked you even got anything, so I’m not surprised one bit. I was run over by a car 4yrs ago and got screwed during settlement where I had to file bankruptcy on med bills I couldn’t afford. I make over $120,000 & own multiple businesses now (the comeback of the century) yet AMEX won’t give me a card due to my bankruptcy from almost 4yrs ago now (no AMEX was put through BK either). Honestly I would be very upset if AMEX just offered up a card to someone with no job, no income, no taxes paid etc. Again no offense to anyone but a secured card is where you should be starting PERIOD.