Explaining the Law and Providing Self-Help Information for Low-Income Iowans
There are 51 resources
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Taxes
Avoiding the Slings and Arrows of Tax Time
During tax season you will hear many businesses offering to help you file your return. The question is, ?Do I really want a car dealership, pay day loan store or rental store to complete my tax return??
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Beware of Tax E-Mail Scams
(Separate Website)
The latest versions of an e-mail scam try to fool people into believing they are under investigation by the agency?s Criminal Investigation division.
By: Internal Revenue Service
Common Legal Terms
(Separate Website)
An online glossary of legal terms from A to W
By: Iowa Judicial Branch
Earned Income Credit Toolkit
(Separate Website)
The kit is an overview of the Earned Income Credit from the Internal Revenue Service and includes information on a wide range of tax questions related to the EIC. (Requires MacroMedia Flash Player to view, available on the IRS website)
HO! HO! HO! Holiday Loans
Tax preparation and check cashing operations will soon be dusting off their pay stub and holiday refund loan offers. Holiday or pay stub loans may seem tempting, but are they a good idea?
By: Iowa Legal Aid
How Do I Fill Out My W-4?
When you start working you will need to fill out a form to set the amount of taxes that will be taken out of your check each payday. This form is called a W-4.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Spanish / Espaņol
Iowa Taxes on Pensions and Social Security
Iowa has made several recent changes to how it taxes Social Security income and the income of senior citizens generally. These changes should reduce taxes.
By: Upper Midwest Pension Rights Project
Keep More Money in YOUR Pocket When You Have Your Taxes Done
Some commercial tax preparers offer Refund Anticipation Loans, these are high cost loans. These loans promise to get your money from your refund to you faster. What you may not realize is that you are paying a lot to get your check only a few days faster.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
My Spouse Lied to the IRS and I Got the Bill!
Most of the time a husband and spouse filing a joint tax return are both held responsible for any tax debts that come from that tax return, called "Joint and Several Liability." This can become an issue when married couples separate.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
New Tax Credit for Phone Customers
If you had long distance phone service in the past 3 years, you can get a tax credit on your 2006
tax return. Here are details on how to get your credit.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Spanish / Espaņol
State Tax Law Changes Could Benefit You!
For several years, Iowa taxpayers could get a state tax credit equal to 6.5% of the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC). The state credit was not refundable. The Iowa Earned Income Tax Credit in 2007 will be 7% of the federal EIC. The credit will also be refundable.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Tax Changes That Could Effect You
New definitions for qualifying child and qualifying relative dependency exemptions are tax changes that could effect you.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Tax Collectors Aren't Just IRS Employees Anymore
Starting on January 1, 2006, the IRS can use private collection agencies to collect a debt. The IRS will send you a letter letting you know if your case has been turned over to collections.
The Energy Tax Credit
Some home improvements you made or are thinking about may get an energy tax credit. For the 2006 and 2007 tax years, homeowners can claim an energy credit for some energy-efficient home improvements. The improvements must be made after December 31, 2005, and before January 1, 2008.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
The Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or "ITIN"
Every tax return or other tax document must have an identification number on it. Taxpayers who are legal residents of the United States use their social security number. Taxpayers whose foreign status does not allow them to get a social security number need to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Spanish / Espaņol
The Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic
The Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic or "LITC" is a project of Iowa Legal Aid. The LITC can help people understand and resolve complicated tax issues. Services are available to low-income Iowans who have a tax dispute. Iowans who do not use English as their first language can also get help with other tax issues including how to apply for the Earned Income Credit.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Think Twice Before You Take Advantage of an "Instant or Quick Refund"
Instant refunds, quick refunds, or similar terms might be used to describe a Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL). These are high-cost loans offered by paid tax preparers through banks and other lenders.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Top 10 Tax Tips for Immigrants
Some of the more common situations where an immigrant might be required to pay taxes and information about how to file.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Spanish / Espaņol
What You Need to Know about the New 2008 Tax Rebate
You may have heard about money the federal government will be sending out in May. Find out what you need to know to claim this rebate.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Common Legal Terms
(Separate Website)
An online glossary of legal terms from A to W
By: Iowa Judicial Branch
The Unemployment Insurance Program
Unemployment insurance (sometimes called Job Service benefits) is a program that gives benefits to some workers who become unemployed. If the worker has not worked enough recently, he or she may not be insured and so not receive any benefits.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Spanish / Espaņol
Wage Payment Collection
Are you having problems collecting wages owed to you or problems not being paid regularly? There is a law in Iowa to help you. It is called the Wage Payment Collection Act. (Chapter 91A, Iowa Code).
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Spanish / Espaņol
Wage Claim Form
(Separate Website)
A form to file a claim for wages is available online from the State of Iowa Division of Labor (Link to a PDF file).
Common Legal Terms
(Separate Website)
An online glossary of legal terms from A to W
By: Iowa Judicial Branch
Farmworkers' Rights
Farmworkers have many important legal rights. The following is a summary of some of the important rights and responsibilities of farmworkers.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Spanish / Espaņol
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
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READ THIS BEFORE USING ANY PART OF THE IOWA LEGAL AID WEBSITE (ILAW) If you cannot afford a lawyer and have a legal problem in Iowa, you may be able to get free legal help. Call Iowa Legal Aid. To find out which office serves your county, call 1-800-532-1275 or 515-243-2151 in the Des Moines calling area. If you are age 60 or over, you may be able to get free legal advice from The Legal Hotline for Older Iowans at 1-800-992-8161 or 282-8161 in Des Moines. All numbers are Voice and TTY.
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ILAW Only Has a General Summary of the Law. It is not meant to fully explain topics. Do not assume what you read on ILAW applies to your specific case. Also, the law may vary from state to state. What you find on this website may not apply where you live or to court actions filed in other states.
The Law Often Changes. Content on this site was correct when it was written. Check the date on each page. Do not assume what you see here is still correct when you read it.
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As You Look at this Website, Remember it is Not a Substitute for Legal Advice.
The Iowa Legal Aid Website is a project of Iowa Legal Aid, the Volunteer Lawyer Projects of the Iowa State Bar and Polk County Bar Associations, and HELP Legal Assistance
(Separate Website)
