Explaining the Law and Providing Self-Help Information for Low-Income Iowans
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Taxes
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
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Divorced, Never Married and Non-traditional Families and Tax Credits
Who can get qualifying child and qualifying relative dependency exemptions. Examples of filled out tax forms for are included.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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Beware of Bad Tax Advice and Unreliable Return Preparation
Be an informed consumer when selecting a tax preparer. Going to an inexperienced or unethical return preparer can hit you in your pocket book. Filing returns with inflated deductions or credits can result in you owing back taxes, interest and penalties.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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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)
By: Internal Revenue Service
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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Keep More Money in YOUR Pocket at Tax Time
Did you know that paying fees for tax preparation and a refund anticipation loan is like losing five days' pay? Here are some ways you can avoid giving away your money during tax time.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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
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Common Mistakes on Tax Returns
(Separate Website)
An alert from the IRS about common mistakes made by individuals while preparing their federal tax returns.
By: Internal Revenue Service
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
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
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Short on Money? How Tax Time Might Help
Low-Income taxpayers running behind on bills like utilities or rent or just wanting to save up a little money should know about the Earned Income Credit.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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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.
Appealing decisions by the Iowa Department of Human Services
(Separate Website)
If your application for Medicaid or other help through the Iowa Department of Human Services is denied or services reduced you can file an appeal. The Appeals Section provides an efficient way of ensuring that persons affected by the Department of Human Services' decisions have access to due process of the law. There is no fee or charge for filing an appeal.
By: Iowa Department of Human Services
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Common Issues in Qualifying for Unemployment Benefits:
Unemployment benefits can help many people who lose their jobs to get by until they are able to find work. Losing a job can mean facing several issues while trying to qualify for unemployment benefits.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Emergency Unemployment Compensation
The Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) is a federal program. This program lets people whose regular unemployment benefits get used up to extend their benefits.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Fact-Finding Hearings and Appeals for Unemployment Benefits
Many people who file for unemployment have to go through a hearing to find out if they get benefits. Here is an overview of this process.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Overview of Help for Iowans Facing Job Loss
Unemployment benefits help people who are unemployed or working reduced hours through no fault of their own.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Paying Back an Overpayment of Unemployment Benefits
Sometimes you get unemployment benefits when you are not supposed to. You will have to pay them back.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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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Unemployment Insurance: Contested Cases and the Appeal Process
(Separate Website)
Just as workers have the right to file claims for unemployment insurance, employers have the right to protest those claims they consider invalid. When such a protest is made, it sets the adjudication process in motion.
By: Iowa Workforce Development
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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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).
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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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The Family and Medical Leave Act
Every working person should know about the Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA. FMLA is a law that says that in certain situations, an employer may have to give an employee time off for certain reasons, such as when they are sick, or when they have family members who need care.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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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.
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