Protect Your Home from Fraudsters

Scammers selling individuals’ homes without their consent is on the rise.

Did you know that it is possible for someone to sell your home or property without your knowledge or consent? The new “owner,” who paid the scammer for your home, then shows up and expects you to be gone or to move out. They might even try to evict you! In another variation the crooks use fake ownership documents as collateral to take out a bank loan against your property. They don’t pay the loan back, of course, so the bank starts foreclosure measures. Whatever happens, you end up in a legal quagmire and, worst case scenario, you lose your home. This horror scenario is happening more and more often these days in South Florida and across the country.

Here’s how the crime typically works:
1. The crook obtains personal information about you, such as your name, address, and property details. This is public information and is easily accessible.
2. Next, they create a fake deed or other property ownership documents with your forged signature.
3. The fraudster then files the deed with the local land registry office, transferring ownership of the property to themselves or a third party. In Palm Beach County, they do so at the Clerk & Comptroller’s office.
4. With the new ownership documents in hand, the fraudster sells the property to an unsuspecting buyer.
5. Once the sale is complete, they disappear with the proceeds, leaving the legitimate property owner with no knowledge of the fraudulent activity until it’s too late, and the new “buyer” out the money they paid for it.

Warning: Beware of “Too good to be true” prices.

Why can’t your title company protect you?

Title companies cannot prevent real estate deed fraud because they don’t have the authority to verify the authenticity of documents, verify the identity of the parties involved, or detect fraudulent activities.

Take the following steps in Palm Beach County to protect yourself (most other counties in Florida offer a similar service):
Sign up for the free property fraud alert service in Palm Beach County. Go to erec.mypalmbeachclerk.com/FraudAlert.

Here’s how it works:
1. If a document is recorded that matches your monitoring criteria, you will receive an alert within 48 hours of a deed being filed.
2. The alert will provide you with the document type, Clerk’s File Number or CFN, and book and page number.
3. The alert will also include a link to view the actual document on the online Official Records website.

Treasury, IRS issue FAQs to address the new deduction for qualified overtime compensation under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill IR-2026-10

Treasury, IRS issue FAQs to address the new deduction for qualified overtime compensation under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill

IR-2026-10, Jan. 23, 2026

WASHINGTON – The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today issued frequently asked questions in Fact Sheet 2026-01 related to the new deduction for qualified overtime compensation under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.
For tax years 2025 through 2028, individuals who receive qualified overtime compensation may deduct the amount that exceeds their regular rate of pay (generally, the “half” portion of “time-and-a-half” compensation) and is reported on a Form W-2 or Form 1099.

These FAQs contain additional information about the deduction, provide resources for employees (including federal employees) to assist them in determining whether they received qualified overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act, and contain useful information regarding the differences in reporting requirements for tax year 2025 and 2026-2028.

Treasury and IRS previously issued Notice 2025-62 providing penalty relief to employers and other payers for tax year 2025 regarding new information reporting requirements for qualified overtime compensation; and issued Notice 2025-69 for workers eligible to claim the deduction for overtime compensation for tax year 2025.

For more information, see One, Big, Beautiful Bill Provisions on IRS.gov.

Tax Tips for Newly Married Couples: What to Do After Saying ‘I Do’

Newly Married? Here are some tips:

Report a name change

Report any name changes to the Social Security Administration. The name on a person’s tax return must match what’s on file at the SSA. Otherwise, it could delay any tax refund. Taxpayers should file Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card with their updated information. It’s available on SSA.gov, by phone at 800-772-1213, or at a local SSA office.

Update address

Notify their local post office, employers and the IRS of any address change. To officially change their mailing address with the IRS, taxpayers must compete and submit Form 8822, Change of Address if a recent income tax return with their current address has not been filed. See page 2 of the form for detailed instructions. Remember that if the IRS does not have your current address, notices (including some with real deadlines) may be sent to an old address.

Check withholding

Newly married couples must give their employers a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, within 10 days. If both spouses work, this could move them into a higher tax bracket, be affected by the additional Medicare tax, have different tax credits, and other impacts. The Tax Withholding Estimator on IRS.gov can be used to check withholding and provide tips for completing a new Form W-4. Their income tax preparer may also be able to assist with estimating both proper withholding and estimated income tax payments.

Review filing status

Married people can choose to file their federal income taxes jointly or separately. While filing jointly is usually more beneficial, it’s best to figure the tax both ways to find out which makes the most sense. Remember that generally a joint tax filing makes both spouses jointly and severally liable for the income tax due.