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SoFi to employ 400 in opening regional office in Utah

A San Francisco-based "modern finance company" called SoFi is opening a regional office in Utah, creating up to 400 jobs, the Governor's Office of Economic Development said Thursday.

"SoFi is an exciting disruptive company in both finance and technology," said GOED Executive Director Val Hale after the GOED board approved a post-performance tax rebate of up to $1.16 million over the next five years to attract SoFi to Utah. A specific location for the office remains to be determined.

Hale expects the company's 400 new jobs to generate $109 million in wages in five years, with positions paying 110 percent of the county's average. SoFi's presence also is projected to generate $5.8 million in new state tax revenues.

SoFi has financed mortgages, provided personal loans and refinanced student loans to the tune of $8 billion for 125,000 customers. It also offers wealth management services and non-traditional benefits such as career services and entrepreneur support.

SoFi also has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Helena, Mont.

IRS: Utahns could still get $6.3M by filing their 2012 tax returns

The Internal Revenue Service said 7,400 Utahns could lose $6.3 million in tax refunds if they don't file a 2012 federal income-tax return.

But anyone who files a 2012 return by April 18 will be eligible for a refund, with the agency saying nearly 1 million people nationally could forgo $950 million in tax returns if they don't file.

"We especially encourage students and others who didn't earn much money to look into this because they may still be entitled to a refund," said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. "There's no penalty for filing a late return if you're due a refund."

The expected median tax return for Utahns: about $640.

If someone files a belated 2012 return but has not submitted returns for 2013 or 2014, their refund checks could be held, Koskinen warned. Refunds also may be used to offset unpaid child support or past-due federal debts such as student loans.

Tax forms are available on the "forms and publications" page at http://www.irs.gov of by calling 1-800-829-3676.

Drive safely Monday. Accidents to up with daylight savings time

Driving tends to be dangerous this coming Monday because people are still messed up by the start of daylight saving time, which takes place at 2 a.m. Sunday.

"It's important to set your internal clock and get the proper amount of sleep as you turn your clocks forward an hour," said AAA Utah spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough, citing National Safety Council data showing a 6 percent increase in crashes the Monday after the spring time shift.

"That one hour of sleep deprivation can leave you feeling groggy and have a dangerous impact on your driving skills," she added.

Utah business people on the move

• Salt Lake City-based advertising and online marketing agency Richter7 has hired Floridian Courtney Steighner as an account manager.

• Nathan Wolfley, who received his law degree from the University of Oregon after graduating from Weber State University, has joined the law firm Snell & Wilmer.