Explaining the Law and Providing Self-Help Information for Low-Income Iowans
There are 27 resources
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Beware of New Internet Tax Scam
(Separate Website)
Details on a new scam that lures taxpayers into filing tax information on a site masquerading as a member of the Free File Alliance
By: Internal Revenue Service
Common Mistakes on Tax Returns
(Separate Website)
An alert from the IRS about common mistakes made by individuals while preparing their federal tax returns.
Claim All the Tax Credits You Earned: What the Earned Income Credit Can Do for You at Tax Time!
The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is a federal tax credit for low and moderate income working people. The EIC is available to workers who do not have children living in their homes, as well as working parents. You can get a refund even if you do not owe federal income tax. If you do owe federal income tax, the EIC decreases your federal tax.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Big Refunds! A Bad Thing?
Almost everyone looks forward to a big refund each year. Should they? Probably not! A big refund means that the IRS gets to keep your money without paying you interest.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Spanish / Espaņol
I Owe the IRS Money. Now What?
Suppose the IRS sent you a letter a couple of years back indicating that you owed money to the IRS. At the time, you didn?t know what to do and missed the deadline. This year you are entitled to a refund, but the IRS is going to take it. You were going to fix your car or maybe catch up on your utility bills with the refund. Is there anything you can do?
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Tax Relief for Hurricane Katrina Victims
The President has declared many areas to be federal disaster areas because of Hurricane Katrina. There is a special rule for deducting a loss that occurs in a presidentially declared disaster area.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
2008 Tax Rebate Information
Details on the 2008 Economic Stimulus Payments, also known as the 2008 Tax Rebate.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
A Guide for Nonresident Aliens Preparing Federal Income Tax
(Separate Website)
This web site will help you determine if you are required to file a tax return, understand the filing instructions and prepare and file your federal tax return.
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
Read this in:
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
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