As the deadline for filing federal income tax returns looms, a spokesman for the Internal Revenue Service says Iowans need to be alert for bogus e-mails claiming Uncle Sam needs more of your personal information. The IRS’ Christopher Miller says it’s a phishing scam as the agency doesn’t operate that way.

“If you get an e-mail that purports to be from the IRS, it’s not from us,” Miller says. “The IRS doesn’t initiate e-mail contact with you.” Miller says it would be against agency policy to contact people by e-mail.

“Besides, we just don’t do that,” he says. “And we are never going to ask for personal, identifiable information.” The filing deadline is Monday, April 18th, three days later this year due to a holiday in Washington, D.C. that falls on Friday the 15th. If you need help with your tax forms, Miller says to contact the IRS directly at 800-TAX FORM or through the website, www.irs.gov.