Dan Hendrickson

Tax season is here once again, and thanks to the demise of the so-called payroll tax holiday – which expired on December 31 – all workers will pay higher taxes in 2013. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) reminds people that it’s better to start gathering the materials you’ll need to file your 2012 tax return earlier rather than waiting until the last minute. And don’t forget, IRS rules say taxpayers are legally responsible for what’s on their tax return even if it is prepared by someone else, so it’s important to be selective when hiring an individual or firm to prepare your return.

After Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, you might think consumers will be ready for a break – but not so fast! For the last several years, Cyber Monday – the Monday after Black Friday – has grown increasingly popular among consumers looking to take advantage of online clearance sales that retailers offer after Black Friday. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) suggests people looking to take advantage of Cyber Monday offers on November 26 – or those who do most of their holiday shopping online – follow these simple steps to help ensure they get the best deals and avoid becoming a victim of fraud:

The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) is issuing an urgent warning to businesses and consumers about a scam claiming that President Obama will pay their utility bills through a new federal program. This bogus offer has been popping up nationwide and is now making its way into Minnesota and North Dakota.

We’re celebrating our Centennial this year at the Better Business Bureau, which means we’ve been monitoring the marketplace for 100 years. In that time, we’ve seen more than our share of scams. In fact, the need for an organization to alert the public to scams is what led to the founding of the BBB (right here in the Twin Cities!).