According to the IRS, virtually everyone can prepare an electronic tax return and file it for free. About 98 million taxpayers - 70 percent of all taxpayers - are eligible for the IRS Traditional Free File.

IRS encourages e-filing

Last year, two out of three tax returns were filed electronically. Was yours? If not, the Internal Revenue Service offers these reasons to e-file your return.

High cost of canceling Citizens policy

Last year, according to my insurance agent, Citizens Property Insurance switched computer systems and required every policyholder to reapply for coverage.

Code Enforcement officials are imposing fines to remove a sinking boat from a canal near Little River Drive on Belle Meade Island.

Sinking boat won't go away

The residents of Belle Meade Island need your help.

We have a sinking boat across our canal and no one will take responsibility for it. It is off of Little River Drive. Thanks.

Martha Stewart tea kettles recalled

Copco and Wild Leaf Tea are recalling about 132,000 Bristol model and Martha Stewart Collection enameled steel tea kettles because the handle on the tea kettle can come loose, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Businesses should also inspect phone bills

Re: Action Line Feb. 17, ``Examine your AT&T bill for suspicious charges'': It's not just individuals. We've had our company's AT&T lines hijacked multiple times despite password protection, as AT&T insisted we add.

New credit card rules protect consumers

New credit card rules are geared to protect consumers. To find out, visit: www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/wyntk_creditcardrules.htm.

Report your children's income

The IRS wants parents to be aware of the tax rules that affect their children's investment income. Here are tips to determine if a child's investment income will be taxed at the parents' rate or the child's rate.

The IRS offers tips to help determine if a child's investment income will be taxed at the parents' rate or the child's rate.

Hassles with AT&T U-verse switch over

We were approached by a marketing representative who sold us an AT&T U-verse package. They came to install U-verse on Jan. 18, but found that wires behind our home were not sufficient for the installation.

Dogs made runs through Tropical Park safer

Re: Action Line Feb. 21, ``Dogs Invading Tropical Park'': I am one of the ``invaders.'' I jogged my dogs (on a leash) through Tropical Park on more than one occasion. I would like to offer an explanation:

Free small-claims court clinic at library

The Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department will host a free small-claims court clinic at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, in English and Spanish, at the West Dade Regional Library, 9445 Coral Way, in Miami. Reservations are not required.

Mailboxes removed for lack of use

Can you find out what's happened with our mailboxes in the North Miami area? They've mysteriously disappeared! There was one on West Dixie Highway and 124th Street, one on NE 6th Avenue and 128th Street, and one on 6th Avenue and 125th Street, until just a few days ago.

Normally, unemployment benefits are taxable; however, under the Recovery Act, every person who received unemployment benefits during 2009 is eligible for a tax break on some of the funds.

Tax break for unemployment

Taxpayers who received unemployment benefits in 2009 are entitled to a special tax break when they file their 2009 federal tax returns. This tax break is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Liebherr-Canada recalls 2,700 refrigerators

Liebherr-Canada is recalling about 2,700 Liebherr built-in 24-inch wide single door refrigerators because the refrigerator's door can detach, posing an injury hazard to consumers.

Dollar General recalls police SWAT toy guns

Dollar General is recalling about 9,600 Special Forces and Police SWAT toy gun sets because the orange tips at the end of the toy guns' barrels, which are designed to distinguish them from real guns, can easily be removed from the barrels, posing a choking hazard to children.

Where to donate framed puzzles

Prior to retiring in Florida I worked on dozens of jigsaw puzzles, had them framed and donated them to publicly funded nursing homes or other care facilities for seniors.

A window washer cleans a 14-story window in Fort Lauderdale. To keep outside windows clean, you can use warm water and a spoonful of dish soap.

Tips for cleaning windows

How can I keep my outside windows cleaner? Rain and sprinklers get them dirty instantly and I believe there must be something to add to my cleaner to repel the dirt a bit.

Innovage recalls kids' animated lamps

Innovage is recalling about 360,000 Discovery KidsAanimated marine and safari lamps because a defect in the lamp's printed circuit board can cause an electrical short, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

UM grant funding delays paycheck

I was employed with the public school system from 2000 until July 2009. Since I was unemployed, and job-hunting, my mother helped me with some of my bills and car.

Newly hired census worker Sierra Carter manages an information table in Maryland. Census scams can be avoided with the right knowledge.

Hot to spot Census scams

As the U.S. Census gets underway, the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department is cautioning consumers to learn how to spot potential scams.

Every U.S. household will receive a short, 10-question form in the mail within the next few months. It requires that you account for everyone living at your address as of April 1 and includes a prepaid envelope so you can mail it back.

Get free legal advice from LegalLine

Want to ask a lawyer a question -- for free?

LegalLine, a free help-line answering a broad range of basic legal questions, will be held by the Dade County Bar Association 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 3. Callers can dial 305-371-2220 to anonymously ask their question in English or Spanish.

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