Discussion Forum

#1

• HM
• mail
• 2026/05/07 16:53

Please tell me about OPT tax returns.

I am currently on OPT (F1 visa) and working as an independent contractor （ signed W8BEN ）. The company does not deduct taxes in advance, so I will pay them all by myself on my tax return next year.

I understand that I am usually exempt from Medicare tax and Social Security tax （ FICA tax ） as I have been in the US less than 5 years.
However, I have also heard that independent contractors are not exempt, so I am confused as to what is really going on.

Also, if I am not exempt, what percentage of my income should I keep for tax purposes ？

I would like to know if anyone is on OPT working as an independent contractor or is familiar with tax returns. I would like to know if you are working as an independent contractor on OPT or if you are familiar with tax return. Thank you ！

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書き込めなくなるまであと22日

#4

• 2026Tax
• 2026/05/12 (Tue) 13:02
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FICA Tax is 15.3% and is calculated and paid on Tax Return.

If you are an Independent Contractor, you will pay W-9 instead of W8Ben.
Income Tax is not withheld, so you pay the following rate, （ maybe 10% ） on Tax Return, depending on your annual income.
https://www.irs.gov/filing/federal-income-tax-rates-and-brackets

OPT is exempt from FICA Tax, so you can get a Refund if your W-2 was withheld. However, it is difficult to explain to the IRS that you are not paying FICA because you are an OPT but an Independent Contractor ） who performs work without the direction of an employer, which is inconsistent.　It is best to hire them as employees.

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#1

• ABC
• mail
• 2026/01/29 01:48

I am very annoyed right now.
The man next door who moved in about a year ago started making this noise last summer. Because of this, the person who lived on the other side of that man recently moved out. I do not want to move. Is there any way to deal with this ？ I don't think I can count on the landlord. Because I have repeatedly told them to get rid of the mopeds on the property, which I believe were probably stolen and dumped, but they have been there since last summer or so.

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書き込めなくなるまであと20日

#3

• ABC
• 2026/01/29 (Thu) 18:04
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I'll report this to my landlord because I like my current room, the location and the price, and I don't want to move as much as possible. When this noise started, the dog from the house next door was barking in response, but he hasn't been barking lately.

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#4

• ハワイ大好き
• 2026/01/29 (Thu) 19:32
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You should record it first ！ they won't take up the conversation without proof. I was also bothered by this for many years, FYI.

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#5

• John
• 2026/01/30 (Fri) 01:34
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This is a counter-prescription for when I was in Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles, noise is out between 10:00 and 7:00.
Hawaii is the same way, so
report it to the management company and if it hasn't improved,
it's perfectly acceptable to call the police.
Also, as other users have said, preservation of evidence is important and
necessary when notifying the noise source of a breach of contract.
Also, nationality depends on race, but there is a good chance that
the police will only come once and
it will stop. In my case, the landlord terminated the contract quickly after two reports.
However, if it is discovered that you are the one who reported the incident, the same thing can happen to you, and you can get upset
because of your race and nationality.
The strongest recording is a video with a clock and date and time.

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#8

• ABC
• 2026/01/30 (Fri) 19:42
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Thank you all for the adbus ！
I have to record it and leave evidence, and the noise standard has to be exceeded. And it could go to court ！ ？
If it goes that far, this case may be at the unpleasant sound level of noise.

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#10

• ABC
• 2026/05/21 (Thu) 23:20
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I posted my concerns earlier and there has been a development, so let me report ！
Oh dear ！ the problem neighbor is going to be contacted by the apar management to move out within 2 months.
The neighbor in question, the one who moved into the room opposite ours, the new tenant made a complaint and contacted me to confirm that it was true and to tell him to move ！.

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#1

• るび
• mail
• 2026/05/19 13:04

I am moving from Silicon Valley to Irvine in late July and am wondering how to transport tropical fish.
I can get them to the point where I can pack them and put them in styrofoam, but I can't drive.
It seems to take 6 ～ 7 hours by car.
If anyone knows of a long-distance taxi-like service, please let us know.
I am also thinking of putting a call out on bibinavi.
Thank you in advance.

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書き込めなくなるまであと18日

#1

• るび
• mail
• 2026/05/18 21:26

I am moving to Irvine in late July and am wondering how to transport tropical fish.
I can pack them and put them in styrofoam, but I can't drive.
I would like to drive 6 ～ 7 hours to the location, and I would like to be able to leave my house in the morning and arrive at my new place in the evening.
If anyone knows of a long-distance taxi-like service, please let me know.
I am also thinking of putting a call out on BibiNavi.
Thank you in advance.

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書き込めなくなるまであと17日

#1

• viatom
• mail
• 2026/05/16 10:06

I recently learned about the benefits and effectiveness of okra okra. I heard that it is effective against diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke.

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書き込めなくなるまであと14日

#1

• Sum
• mail
• 2026/05/06 17:54

I was out of Hawaii last year but will be returning soon.
I saw on the news that Hawaii is likely to be
very hot this year due to the Super El Nino. I saw on the news that
was last summer cool as usual ？?

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書き込めなくなるまであと14日

#2

• JJ
• 2026/05/06 (Wed) 23:11
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It is quite comfortable compared to Japan.
It is not too humid and you will not get heat stroke like in Japan.
It is not too dry like the mainland and not humid like Japan.

It depends on where you live in Hawaii and what kind of building you live in, but
Even in May, the mornings and evenings are cool and comfortable.
In summer in Japan, you cannot go out without a handkerchief, but in Hawaii, you can go out without a handkerchief.

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#5

• Yumi
• 2026/05/15 (Fri) 13:41
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We are on a high floor in the Ala Moana/Ward area and it is so breezy and cold at night that I still sleep with the windows closed.
I have lived here for 8 years and not once have I needed an air conditioner or a fan.
The location of the house （ Is it a dense condo where you can see the whole neighborhood around you ） or is the room facing east or west （ I heard that on the west side, it is hot in the summer even after 9 pm due to the sunset sun ）, I think it depends on the floor of the room.

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#1

• Gardena90247
• mail
• 2026/04/30 16:54

My home wifi is costly and I am looking for a portable wifi.
There are many gadgets on the internet, but
I want to choose a reliable and inexpensive one, but
I have no idea which one is best.

I would like to hear various opinions.　Thank you in advance.

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書き込めなくなるまであと12日

#3

• Gardena90247
• 2026/04/30 (Thu) 17:00
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Ryokoの宣伝が今一番目につきますが、、、これ利用されている人居る？

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#6

• G
• 2026/05/10 (Sun) 18:47
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How much is your home internet now, how much is your outgoing internet bill （ how much is the Wifi Hot Spot on your phone ？ ） and how much are you spending per month on communication?
How much do you consider expensive and how much data do you use per month, etc.
It would be difficult to answer without at least this information.

I personally consider Verizon's portable Wi-Fi to be highly reliable, and I can use up to 150GB per month for $ 80, but
if you watch videos, etc., it would be unrealistic to use this as your home Internet connection.

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#7

• Gardena90247
• 2026/05/12 (Tue) 14:08
• Report

Thank you.
I use Spectrum and pay $135/month
I wonder what the service is like for seniors ？
There is a huge low-cost service, but it is nowhere near reliable.

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#8

• T.S
• 2026/05/13 (Wed) 10:50
• Report

If you are using Spectrum and paying $135/month, you might want to consider T-mobile ？ At my house, it costs $50/month and the internet speed is 500mbps^(depending on where you live ） Installation is also very easy

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#9

• Gardena90247
• 2026/05/13 (Wed) 14:21
• Report

Thank you very much.
I contacted T-mobile to sign up, no hassle, ＄ they said 60 is the best.
thank you so much $75 monthly savings 。。。。

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#1

• HI-SI
• mail
• 2026/04/21 21:15

Please let me know if you know of anyone who may be able to help me.


2008 ～ I filed for divorce at the Family Court in Kapolei in 2009,
but since the divorce was almost 20 years ago, I can't find the
original documents that my attorney at the time gave me because they are missing.

I would like to get a divorce certificate because I am thinking of remarrying
I can't find how to apply for it at eCourt* Kokua or the court website ・ ・ ・
I used to be able to apply at the Dept. of Health.
I have not been able to do so since Feb. 1.

The divorce attorney's office has already closed
and I can't rely on them.

If anyone knows how to get a divorce certificate,
or knows a law firm that can do it for me,
please share your wisdom.

Thank you in advance.

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書き込めなくなるまであと8日

#2

• おせっかいBBA
• 2026/05/07 (Thu) 21:06
• Report

ハワイ州では離婚受理証明書はDept. Of Health ではなく離婚を成立させた家庭裁判所に申請して入手するそうです。その際ケース番号が必要となります。（裁判所のHo' Ohiki のサイトから探せる) 申請は直接裁判所の事務所に出向くか郵送ででも可能みたいです。そんなに難しいように思えないので弁護士事務所に頼む前にご自分でトライしてみてはいかがでしょうか？

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#3

• HI-SI
• 2026/05/09 (Sat) 23:15
• Report

Thank you for the
useful information, nosy BBA.

I am currently in another state and cannot go to court
in person, but
I see that it is possible to request by mail ！
I will do my own research again.
Thank you again.
Thank you very much.

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#1

• 叔母ハワイ
• mail
• 2026/04/11 14:54

My sister's son (my nephew) just had a baby and she asked me to buy something for the baby on my next trip back to Hawaii.

When my nephew was born, there were many stores specializing in baby items in Hawaii, so I bought a lot of things every time I went back to Japan, but now everything is available online, and I can't think of what to buy. My next trip back to Japan will be in June, so I will be able to give the baby to a boy, about 2 months old. Do you have any recommendations for omiyage for babies? Please not large items such as strollers, bouncers, etc.

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書き込めなくなるまであと6日

#2

• 安住
• 2026/04/11 (Sat) 18:12
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If you are in the baby clothes section of Macy's, you can always find baby clothes at 40% to 60% off.
Unlike Japanese baby clothes, some baby clothes cover all arms and legs and are made to prevent scratching to the face by fingernails, which I think is very useful. In Japan, it is common to put on mittens or socks, so I think similar products are almost impossible to find. If you buy the 6month ones, I think they will last for a while. Also, it is a good idea to look at toys at Target and other places.
You won't get to use them until a little later ….

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#3

• Ez
• 2026/04/11 (Sat) 18:44
• Report

ROSS also has baby products.

Waikele also has a baby and children's store.

Clothing, blankets, accessories and toys are appreciated.

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#4

• 叔母ハワイ
• 2026/05/07 (Thu) 13:14
• Report

#2 Mr. Azumi
#3 Mr. Ez

I went to the stores you gave me hints about. I have only met the baby's mother (my nephew's wife) once at a wedding, and I didn't know what she liked, so I was at a loss for what to buy at the store, and ended up buying an English picture book with rustling sounds for babies on Amazon. It's difficult for different generations. Thank you very much.

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#1

• なみ
• mail
• 2025/11/09 11:40

He says he will not come back to the U.S. after he returns to Japan with the children. My in-laws are cooperating and making all kinds of excuses and I am not getting to see my children anymore. I am posting this in the hope that someone can give me information on a good lawyer in NJ or even NY who is licensed to practice in NJ. Thank you in advance.

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書き込めなくなるまであと1日

#5

• Nori NY
• 2026/03/08 (Sun) 08:12
• Report

I went through a divorce in New York a long time ago.
I know it is hard. I am sorry to hear about your heartache.
NY Divorce Lawyer Laurence Pearson
(917) 596-9594
He is a reliable lawyer. Please consult with her.

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#6

• Ryu
• mail
• 2026/04/29 (Wed) 20:35
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https://www.iinylaw.com/ja
Mayumi Iijima Law Office

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