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Businesses and Consumers

Consumer Protection Resources: ConsumerResources.org is a one-stop shop for all your consumer protection information from state and territory attorneys general.

A message from the IRS during these troubling times:

All IRS forms, instructions and publications are available on IRS.gov, which continues to be the best way to get tax forms and publications. It's quick, easy, free and always available.

Taxpayers can order a paper copy of any current-year form, instruction, or publication (except Publication 17) on www.irs.gov/orderforms or by calling 800-829-3676.

Georgia Department of Revenue Forms can be found here:

https://dor.georgia.gov/it-511-individual-income-tax-booklet or by calling 1-877-423-6711 and request forms to be mailed by speaking with an agent.

IRS and Treasury finalize Opportunity Zone guidance

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued final regulations providing details about investment in qualified opportunity zones (QOZ).

The final regulations modified and finalized the proposed regulations that were issued on October 28, 2018 and May 1, 2019.

The final regulations provide additional guidance for taxpayers eligible to make an election to temporarily defer the inclusion in gross income of certain eligible gain. The final regulations also address, the ability of such taxpayers' eligibility to increase the basis in their qualifying investment equal to the fair market value of the investment on the date that it is sold, after holding the equity interest for at least 10 years.

The statute permits the deferral of all or part of a gain that would otherwise be included in income, if corresponding amounts are invested into a qualified opportunity fund (QOF). The gain is deferred until an inclusion event or Dec. 31, 2026, whichever is earlier. The final regulations provide a list of inclusion events. Further, the final regulations provide guidance to determine the amount of income that must be included at the time of the inclusion event or December 31, 2026.

The final regulations also address the various requirements that must be met to qualify as a QOF, as well as the requirements an entity must meet to qualify as a QOZ business. In order to provide clarity, the final regulations have modified the proposed regulations for QOFs and QOZ businesses. Specifically, the final regulations provide additional guidance on how an entity becomes a QOF or QOZ business, and the requirement that a QOF or QOZ business engage in a trade or business. The final regulations retain the general approach of the proposed regulations but provide additional guidance and clarity to the rules regarding QOZ business property.

Related forms, instructions and other information taxpayers need to take advantage of this update will be made available in January 2020.

For more information about this and other TCJA provisions, visit IRS.gov/taxreform.

Small Business Assistance and Information

Consumer Protection

Consumers are often a target of fraudulent and deceptive practices. Constituents can learn how to protect themselves by viewing information that helps them spot, stop, and avoid them.

  • Identity Theft
    • Constituents should be vigilant to protect themselves and their communities from the dangers caused by identity thieves. If you become a victim of ID theft, please contact our offices for personal assistance or visit the Federal Trade Commission identity theft website for advice on how to secure your personal data as well as what to do if your identity is stolen.
    • OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information. You can also view videos and play games to learn how to avoid becoming a victim of phishing, spam, spyware and other online scams. In addition, learn about spam e-mail.
  • Credit and Loans — Almost every day, you are involved in some type of financial transaction requiring an educated decision, whether you are shopping for a mortgage or auto loan, checking the accuracy of your credit report, dealing with debt collectors, or looking for ways to protect your personal financial information. Many companies that solicit new credit card accounts and insurance policies use prescreening to identify potential customers for the products they offer. Visit the Federal Trade Commissions' website to learn more about credit and loan information and how prescreening works and what happens when you opt out.
  • Scams — Stay a step ahead with the latest information and practical tips about scams from the nation's consumer protection agency. Browse FTC scam alerts by topic or by most recent alert.
  • Mail Fraud and Cross-Border Fraud — Phony job opportunities, postal job scams, bogus work-at-home schemes, and fake charities are among the many types of mail fraud schemes used to prey on consumers. Cross-border fraud is a serious problem that has resulted in consumers in the U.S. and other countries to lose billions of dollars each year.
  • Information Security - Take the necessary steps to safeguard sensitive data in your files and on your computers so it does not fall into the wrong hands.
  • Investments — Get the facts from the FTC's investments page on how to invest wisely and avoid fraud. Be wary of swindlers and scam artists and review the SEC's Investor Alerts and Bulletins.
  • "Do Not Call" Registry — The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Learn more about the National Do Not Call Registry from the Federal Trade Commission.
  • Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) — Passed by Congress in October 1998, requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue and enforce rules concerning children's online privacy. Learn more about keeping your kids safe online. Learn more about how to make sure your business is COPPA compliant.

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