Single Iowa State students will have something to look forward to at tax time this year: touch-tone filing.

Tele-file, a touch-tone tax filing service offered by the Internal Revenue Service, will be available for the first time in Iowa beginning Jan. 1.

“This will definitely be an advantage for college students,” IRS Public Affairs Officer Ted Reis said. “It’s available only to single people, so most college students will be able to take advantage of it.”

Users dial in and enter all necessary information over the phone. Tax refunds will be available three weeks from the date of the phone transaction.

Reis said the Tele-file service was piloted in eight states last year and will be available nationwide this year. Information on how to use Tele-file will be mailed to students’ permanent residences in December, in time for tax filing in January.

Reis said the IRS is always involved in customer service and “helping the taxpayers, who are the consumers for us.”

“Oct. 22-28 is National Consumers Week, and the IRS wants its consumers, America’s taxpayers, to know their rights under the law,” Reis said.

A free booklet called “Your Rights as a Taxpayer” explains the rights taxpayers have when tax returns are questioned or when taxpayers owe money and cannot pay. Those interested in receiving a booklet can call 1-800-TAX-FORM and ask for Publication 1.