| Volume 107 Number 4 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Child support is not set in stone. If there has been a substantial change in circumstances, either party may go back to court and ask that the order be modified.
For more general information about the law, check out my website.
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TurboTax Hit By Fraud
TurboTax has resumed state income tax filings after a briefly suspending services to investigate potential fraud in 18 states. After receiving fraudulent filings through TurboTax, Minnesota stopped accepting TurboTax filings entirely.
After an investigation, TurboTax representatives revealed the company had not experienced any sort of internal data breach. Instead, fraudsters obtained personal taxpayer information elsewhere and then used it to file for a return using TurboTax software.
Should you be worried? Could someone else file for your tax return before you ever get a chance to?
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Save on Travel With Credit Card Awards
For many, it's already time to start planning summer travel. Since airlines aren't reducing airfare as the cost of gas goes down, plane tickets remain pretty expensive. But there's a way to save anyway.
If you happen to be in the market for a new credit card, you may be able to save some serious money on your trips. USA Today has compiled a list of the top five credit cards with impressive reward packages for new customers. For example, after spending a designated amount of money in the first few months, Southwest Airlines offers its credit card holders the equivalent of nearly $800 in travel rewards. Unlike other airlines, there's no change of cancellation fees if plans change.
As with any credit card, it's important to try to spend only what you would anyway. That is, if can pay off the credit card every month, you can enjoy additional miles and even free trips just by spending as you normally do. Note, however, that some of these cards have annual fees. In most cases, they're waived for the first year.
Find out the best credit cards for travel rewards.
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Average Tax Refund Stands at $3,539
Although Tax Day doesn't come for a couple more months, more than 14 million people have already filed tax returns. Since January 31, the IRS has issued about 7.6 million returns for an average refund of $3,539.
Early season tax returns tend to be larger because people expecting large refunds are more likely to file early. As a result, the average amount paid back to taxpayers could come down as tax season progresses.
Do you know how much you're expecting back this tax season?
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Your Money
Will your investment interest be deductible?
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For the Lawyers
FDCPA requires suit be filed in the smallest geographic area that is relevant for determining venue.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires a debt collector file suit in the “judicial district or similar entity” where the contract was signed or the debtor resides. The Seventh Circuit held that this language means the smallest geographic area that is relevant for determining venue in the court system in which the case is filed. Overruling its earlier decision, the court held that in Marion County, which has nine small claims courts, the smallest area is a township.
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