Has anyone here dealt with allocation of shared utilities in a situation like this? I'm in a similar position with a commercial/residential mixed building and I'm confused about how to handle common area utilities when part is business and part is personal.

One thing I'd strongly recommend is getting everything documented properly from the start. When we did a similar conversion, our CPA advised us to create a formal "conversion plan" that outlined exactly when each unit would transition from business to personal use, along with the square footage allocations. This documentation became crucial later when we had questions about which improvements qualified for depreciation. We included photos of the property before improvements, detailed cost breakdowns for each area, and a timeline of when different spaces would change use. Also, consider whether you want to elect out of bonus depreciation for some of these improvements. While bonus depreciation gives you bigger deductions upfront, it can create complications if you convert units to personal use shortly after. Sometimes taking regular depreciation over the longer schedule gives you more flexibility, especially with mixed-use properties like yours. Your accountant will probably want to see all this documentation, so getting it organized now will save you time and potentially money in professional fees later!

Just wanted to add something important that might help - make sure you check with your university's international student office about work authorization before proceeding with any contractor arrangement. Even if you fix the tax forms (W-8BEN vs W-9), F-1 students have strict limitations on where and how they can work. Generally, F-1 students can only work on-campus during their first year, and off-campus work usually requires specific authorization like CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or OPT (Optional Practical Training). Working as an independent contractor for a startup without proper work authorization could violate your visa status, which is much more serious than tax form issues. I'd recommend getting clarity on your work authorization status first, then dealing with the tax classification. Your international student office should be able to help you understand what type of work authorization you need for this arrangement, if any. Don't assume that being paid as a contractor somehow changes the work authorization requirements - the visa regulations look at the actual work being performed, not how you're classified for tax purposes.

I went through a very similar situation last year as an F-1 student working for a tech startup. You're absolutely right that the W-9 was incorrect - as a nonresident alien, you should be filing Form W-8BEN instead. Here's what I learned from my experience: First, submit the W-8BEN to your employer immediately and explain that you're a nonresident alien on F-1 status. Include a brief note that the W-9 was submitted in error. Most startups don't have experienced tax departments, so they'll likely be grateful for the clarification. Second, since you're being treated as an independent contractor, you'll need to handle quarterly estimated tax payments yourself. This is different from regular employment where taxes are withheld from each paycheck. You'll also be responsible for both portions of self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare). Third, and this is crucial - make sure you have proper work authorization for this arrangement. Even though they're calling it an "internship," if you're being paid as a contractor, you likely need CPT (Curricular Practical Training) authorization from your school. Working without proper authorization can jeopardize your visa status, which is far more serious than tax form issues. I'd recommend talking to your international student office about work authorization first, then consult with a tax professional who understands nonresident alien tax situations. The combination of contractor classification plus F-1 status creates some unique considerations that general tax software often doesn't handle well. Feel free to ask if you have questions about any of these steps - happy to share more details about what worked for me!

You might wanna check if someone claimed you as a dependent maybe? My cousin had something similar happen and it turned out her parents had claimed her on their taxes even though she was filing independently. Could be worth asking family members?

Wow, that's a perfect example of how these small debts can spiral out of control! A $75 parking ticket growing to over $4,000 is absolutely insane but unfortunately very common with municipal collections. For anyone else reading this thread, this is why it's so important to address any tickets, fines, or government notices immediately - even if they seem small. Once they go to collections, the fees and interest can multiply the original debt by 10x or more. Omar, you might want to contact the original issuing agency (probably your city or county) to see if they have any hardship programs or payment plans. Sometimes they'll reduce the collection fees if you can pay the original amount plus reasonable costs. It's worth a shot since $4,000 for a parking ticket is pretty excessive. Also, make sure to get documentation of the payment once you resolve this so it doesn't happen again next year!

Has anyone used the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator online? I tried it but got totally confused when entering multiple jobs.

I've been in a similar situation with multiple variable income jobs, and here's what worked for me after a lot of trial and error: Since you can't predict the variable income accurately, I'd recommend using a "safe harbor" approach. Calculate 110% of last year's total tax liability and divide that by the number of pay periods from your full-time job. Have that amount withheld as additional withholding on line 4(c) of your W-4 for your steady job. This way, even if your variable jobs earn more than expected, you'll avoid underpayment penalties because you're meeting the safe harbor rule. You might get a refund, but that's better than owing plus penalties. For the variable jobs, I keep their W-4s simple - just basic information in Steps 1 and 5, no additional withholding. Let your main job do the heavy lifting on withholding. Also, consider making quarterly estimated tax payments if your variable income is substantial. You can adjust these throughout the year as you get a better sense of your actual earnings. The IRS Form 1040-ES has worksheets that help with this approach. The key is building in a buffer for uncertainty rather than trying to be perfectly precise with unpredictable income streams.

I can relate to your concern about receiving unexpected IRS notices! I got a Notice 1402 about 6 months ago and initially panicked thinking I had done something wrong with my tax filing. After researching and speaking with a tax professional, I learned it's actually a routine administrative notice about ITIN expiration rather than an indication of any filing errors. The key thing to check is whether you still need your ITIN - if you've since obtained a Social Security Number, you can simply notify the IRS that you no longer require the ITIN. If you do still need it, the renewal process through Form W-7 is straightforward but does require original documentation or certified copies. Don't stress too much - this is a very common notice that millions of people receive as part of the regular ITIN maintenance cycle.

I received Notice 1402 about two months ago and had the exact same initial panic! It's completely understandable to be worried when you get any correspondence from the IRS, especially when you've been diligent about your tax compliance. In my case, I discovered that my ITIN with middle digits 78 was set to expire, even though I had been filing regularly. The notice actually serves as an early warning system - much better than finding out during tax season when you're trying to file. I ended up going through the renewal process since I still needed my ITIN for certain investment income reporting. The key is to act promptly rather than letting it sit until the last minute. If you're unsure about your specific situation, you can always call the IRS ITIN hotline at 1-800-908-9982, though as others have mentioned, getting through can take some patience. Don't let this stress you out too much - it's really just administrative housekeeping on their part.