Just want to add a data point - I had a similar issue and it turned out I wasn't eligible for APTC for one month due to having access to employer coverage that month (even though I didn't take it). The marketplace still paid APTC to my insurer but left Column B blank. When I called, they told me to use the SLCSP calculator tool to determine the correct amount for Column B, rather than leaving it as zero. Apparently a zero really isn't valid there on the 8962 form.

I had this exact same issue last year! Your tax software is correct to flag the $0 in Column B - it's actually not a valid entry on Form 8962 when you've received advance premium tax credits. Here's what's likely happening: The marketplace made an error on your 1095-A. Column B (SLCSP) is essential for calculating your premium tax credit eligibility, and it should never be blank or zero when you received APTC payments (Column C has a value). My recommendation is to use the SLCSP lookup tool on Healthcare.gov to find the correct amount for your zip code, family size, and coverage period for April. You'll need this information: your county, number of people covered, and their ages during that month. The tool will give you the official SLCSP amount that should have been in Column B. Once you have the correct SLCSP amount, enter it on your Form 8962 instead of the $0.01 workaround. This will give you an accurate premium tax credit calculation. You don't necessarily need to wait for a corrected 1095-A if you can verify the correct SLCSP amount yourself using the official tool. Just make sure to keep documentation of where you got the SLCSP figure in case the IRS has questions later.

One thing no one has mentioned - you should also check if this state ID error affected any quarterly filings you've already submitted this year. Sometimes these errors carry forward if you're using the same system for everything.

I went through this exact same situation two years ago and can confirm that yes, you absolutely need to issue W2C forms. The state employer ID is crucial for state tax processing, and even though your employees might not notice right away, it will likely cause issues when they file their state returns. Here's what I learned from my experience: Send the W2C forms ASAP with a clear cover letter explaining the error. Make sure to mark the corrected forms prominently as "CORRECTED" and include both the incorrect and correct state ID numbers on the W2C so there's no confusion. Also, double-check that this error didn't affect any of your quarterly state filings throughout the year. In my case, I had been using the wrong ID on those too and had to file amended quarterly reports. The whole process was actually less painful than I expected once I got started. Your employees will appreciate the proactive correction rather than discovering the error when they try to file their taxes!

This is a really common mistake that happens to a lot of new arrivals! The good news is that it's totally fixable. Here's what I'd recommend based on my experience helping other international workers: 1. **Contact your employer immediately** - HR can update their records and issue a corrected W-2 if needed. Most payroll departments have dealt with this before. 2. **File Form 1040-NR** for 2022 since you were a non-resident alien. Include a brief statement explaining the W-9/W-8BEN mix-up. 3. **Check for treaty benefits** - If you're from a country with a tax treaty, you might be entitled to reduced withholding rates. You'll need Form 8833 to claim these. 4. **Calculate potential refund** - Since your employer likely withheld at US resident rates, you may have overpaid and could get money back. The key is being proactive about fixing it now rather than waiting. The IRS is generally understanding about honest mistakes like this, especially when you're transparent about what happened. Make sure to keep documentation of your entry dates and immigration status in case they ask for verification later. Don't stress too much - this won't cause major problems as long as you file correctly going forward!

I went through this exact same situation when I moved to the US from the UK in 2021! The mix-up between W-9 and W-8BEN is super common for new arrivals - don't beat yourself up about it. Here's what worked for me: I contacted my employer's payroll department right away and explained that I had mistakenly filled out a W-9 when I should have completed a W-8BEN as a non-resident alien. They were actually really helpful and had seen this before. They couldn't retroactively change the 2022 withholdings, but they updated their records for going forward. When I filed my taxes, I used Form 1040-NR and included a brief letter explaining the situation. Since the UK has a tax treaty with the US, I was able to claim some benefits using Form 8833 that reduced my tax liability. I actually ended up getting a decent refund because my employer had been withholding at the higher US resident rates. The whole process was way less scary than I thought it would be. The IRS processed my return normally - no audit or anything. Just make sure you have your entry/exit dates documented and keep copies of your visa paperwork in case they need verification. You're already ahead of the game by catching this before filing season gets crazy!

Quick tip - if you expect to owe more than $1000 in taxes for the year, you need to make estimated quarterly tax payments to avoid underpayment penalties. I learned this the hard way and got hit with penalties my first year contracting. Easiest way is to use the IRS Direct Pay system and select "estimated tax" as the reason. You'll need to calculate roughly what you'll owe each quarter based on your income. Quarters are due April 15, June 15, Sept 15, and Jan 15 of the following year (weird schedule, I know).

The confusion is totally understandable! Think of it this way - when you're a W-2 employee, you see 7.65% deducted from your paycheck for Social Security and Medicare, but your employer is secretly paying another 7.65% that you never see. So the total is actually 15.3%, you just don't realize it. As a 1099 contractor, there's no employer to pay that hidden half, so YOU have to pay the full 15.3% as self-employment tax. Your federal income tax is completely separate - it's based on your income bracket and has nothing to do with Social Security/Medicare. The bright side? You can deduct half of that self-employment tax (the "employer" portion you're paying) when calculating your federal income tax. Plus, all those business expenses you can write off as a contractor often make up for the extra tax burden. Just make sure you're tracking everything - home office, mileage, equipment, software subscriptions, etc. At $78k with mixed W-2 and 1099 income, 44% savings rate does seem high. You might want to run the numbers more precisely or consult with a tax professional to make sure you're not over-saving (though better safe than sorry after last year's surprise!).

As someone who's dealt with multiple IRS issues over the years, I can confirm that the mysterious "hold time" is often just agents struggling with their ancient computer systems. But here's something that's helped me get better results: Before calling, I always pull my own account transcript from the IRS website and write down ALL the transaction codes, dates, and dollar amounts I can see. When the agent puts me on hold to "research," I'm ready with specific codes to reference. For example, instead of saying "I'm missing my refund," I'll say "I see transaction code 846 for my refund date of X, but there's also a 570 freeze code from Y date - can you tell me what's causing this freeze?" This usually gets me past the generic responses because they realize I can see the same basic info they're looking at. The key is speaking their language with specific codes and dates rather than general complaints. It doesn't solve the underlying problem of their terrible systems, but it definitely gets you taken more seriously by the agents.

Having gone through this exact frustration myself, I can add a few insights from my recent experiences. The "mysterious hold time" often involves agents checking multiple disconnected systems that don't talk to each other well. But here's what I've learned works better: **Before calling, prepare like you're going to court:** - Pull your account transcript and wage & income transcript - Have your Social Security card, photo ID, and all relevant tax documents ready - Write down specific questions with transaction codes (not just "where's my refund") **During the call:** - Ask for the agent's SEID number (employee ID) - this shows you're serious about accountability - If they can't help, specifically request transfer to the "Technical Support" line rather than just asking for a supervisor - Always ask "What will show up in my account notes from this call?" and request they read it back **The game-changer:** If you have a complex issue, ask to speak with an "Accounts Management" representative directly rather than starting with customer service. They have broader system access and can often resolve things the front-line agents simply cannot touch. I've found that being prepared with specific codes and showing I understand the process gets me transferred to more knowledgeable agents much faster than starting with general complaints.