Author: Elizabeth Blessing
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A Tucson tax preparer was convicted on 22 counts after 12 clients testified to deductions they never had
A federal jury in Arizona found Darlene Musgrove, 68, of Tucson guilty on October 5 of 22 counts of preparing false federal income tax returns for her clients, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced on October 6. Twelve of her clients testified at trial that they did not have the deductions…
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SNAP cuts able-bodied adults without dependents off after three months without 80 work hours a month
Under SNAP’s time limit, an able-bodied adult without dependents can get benefits for only three months in a three-year period unless they work or take part in a work program for at least 80 hours a month. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service spells out the rule on its SNAP work requirements page, and it applies…
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New Jersey’s one application for three senior programs is due November 2
New Jersey’s property-tax relief application is due November 2, 2026, and one form, the PAS-1, covers three programs: Senior Freeze, ANCHOR and Stay NJ. The state Division of Taxation says on its property tax relief page that “the deadline to apply for the 2025 application is November 2, 2026.” For seniors the single application is…
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An estate tax closing letter costs less if the IRS receives the request by October 26
The IRS fee for an estate tax closing letter goes from $56 to $76 for requests the agency receives after October 26, 2026. That makes a request that arrives by October 26 $20 cheaper. The higher fee is set in a Treasury decision, TD 10055, published September 25 in the Federal Register at 91 FR…
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ONTHEWEI is refunding 2,140 baby bath seats in full
ONTHEWEI is giving full refunds on about 2,140 baby bath seats sold on Amazon.com in April 2026 for $40 to $50, after the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced recall 27-018 on October 8. The agency says the seats violate the mandatory federal standard for infant bath seats, can tip over during use and carry a…
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New Jersey bars utility shutoffs for protected customers from November 15 to March 15
New Jersey households that are on certain benefit programs, or that cannot pay because of circumstances outside their control, cannot have their electric, gas, water or wastewater service shut off from November 15 through March 15. The state’s Board of Public Utilities runs the rule as its Winter Termination Program and says the protection covers…
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North Carolina’s State Health Plan closes 2027 enrollment on November 6
North Carolina State Health Plan members have until November 6, 2026, to make their 2027 coverage choices. The plan’s website says “2027 Open Enrollment is Oct. 12-Nov. 6, 2026,” and it opened today. The window is a week longer than the October 30 end date the plan announced over the summer. The dates, and the…
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Virginia’s SNAP ban on sweetened beverages starts November 1 after an earlier delay
Virginia’s ban on using SNAP benefits to buy sweetened beverages is listed to start on November 1, 2026, according to the target implementation date in USDA’s state-by-state waiver table. The date follows one documented delay: in February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved moving the start from April 1 to October 1, 2026. From April…
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Medicare flagged four Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage as low-performing in its October 8 ratings
Medicare put a low-performing icon on four Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage when it posted its 2027 Star Ratings on October 8, 2026. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services lists them in its 2027 Star Ratings fact sheet, a week before open enrollment begins on October 15. CMS counts them as contracts,…
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Treasury is ending paper benefit checks, and a waiver takes a phone call
The Treasury Department is ending paper checks for federal benefits, and people who cannot switch can ask for a waiver by phone. Social Security says federal law and Executive Order 14247 have required electronic payment since September 30, 2025, and that the agency is finishing the move for all beneficiaries during 2026. The waiver number…