As you may know, today, January 23, 2017, is the beginning of tax season. As your Congressman I want to make sure that you know what resources are available to anyone preparing and filing federal taxes.
First, you may be aware that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) operates a free tax preparation service known as Free File. The Free File service has helped millions of people accurately prepare their tax returns at no cost. Anyone who made less than $64,000 in 2016 can take advantage of this free program. I invite you to learn more about Free File program here.
Additionally, if you need any assistance with preparing or filing your taxes, there is a Local Taxpayer Advocate (LTA) who can help answer your questions. LTAs serve as your voice to the IRS, and can help you understand your rights, answer tax preparation questions you may have, locate a lost refund, and more. The LTA for Iowa is located in Des Moines; please feel free to contact your LTA by calling 515-564-6888. Additionally, my office spends a great deal of time helping folks with issues concerning their taxes. If you feel like my office could be of assistance, I invite you to call us at 319-351-0789.
I also want you to know that protecting your personal data this tax season is extremely important. Cyber criminals can target sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, account numbers, and password information as folks file their taxes. I encourage you to learn about how you can best protect your data here.
Here are a few tips on Tax Security:
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Use security software that protects you against digital threats online.
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Never reply to emails, texts, or pop-up messages requesting tax or financial info.
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Be aware of scams using aggressive calls, unsolicited e-mails and fake mailings.
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Always add password protections to all devices, use longer passwords, and do not use passwords more than once.
I hope this information is helpful! If you have any questions, of if I can be of assistance, please feel free to contact my office.
Sincerely,
Dave Loebsack
