01/01/2006
Here are highlights of some of the legislative changes effective in January 2006:
The Small Claims court jurisdictional limit is now $7,500 for suits filed by natural persons (that is, an individual, not a corporation, unincorporated association, government entity, etc.). With certain exceptions for cities, counties, etc., you may still not file more than two actions per year that seek more than $2,500 each, and after you've filed more than 12 claims per year, even if you stay within the $2,500 or less range, your filing fee will be higher.
Electronically printed debit card receipts may print only the last five digits of your debit card or the expiration date, as is already the rule for credit cards. If your receipt is one that uses an imprint of your debit card, or if the receipt is written by hand, this rule does not apply.
Tax preparers who advertise refund anticipation loans (RALs) are prohibited from representing that these RALs are actual tax refunds. If any tax preparer's ad even mentions an RAL, it must conspicuously state that it is a loan and that a fee or interest will be charged on it. Any tax preparer who offers RALs must display a schedule of his/her fees for doing so, as well as for electronic filing of the client's return, setting up a refund account, and anything else necessary to receive the RAL.
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