The IRS has clarified that unannounced visits by armed agents occur only in rare cases involving serious criminal tax investigations. These visits are not related to routine audits, late payments, or simple filing mistakes. Only the IRS Criminal Investigation division has the authority to conduct such actions under federal law.
New York State drivers are approaching the start of a stricter traffic penalty system that will treat even minor speeding, including just 1 mph over the limit, more seriously. Beginning in February 2026, small speeding violations are expected to carry higher DMV points and contribute faster toward license suspension thresholds.
The U.S. government has updated Social Security rules to allow the Social Security Administration (SSA) to share beneficiaries’ travel and personal data with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This change strengthens verification of eligibility for retirement, disability, and SSI benefits by linking travel records with federal data systems.
A federal court has approved a major Cash App settlement related to unwanted promotional text messages sent without proper consent. Eligible Washington state residents who filed valid claims may receive up to $147 as compensation. The payout amount depends on how many approved claims are submitted from the total settlement fund.
Millions of mobile phone users may qualify for payments under a $10.5 million class action settlement involving unwanted marketing text messages from Kaiser Permanente. Eligible individuals could receive up to $75 per qualifying message if they submit a valid claim by the February 12 deadline.
California has launched a new FAST pilot program to crack down on drivers caught traveling over 100 miles per hour. About 50 extreme speeding cases each day will now be sent directly to the DMV for faster review, without waiting for court decisions. The program allows the DMV to take administrative action, including possible license suspension or revocation.
The Social Security Administration has launched its biggest digital transformation in decades while distributing nearly $17 billion in retroactive payments to millions of Americans. These changes follow the repeal of outdated benefit rules and aim to make services faster, more accessible, and more reliable.
