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Journal Article
Savings programs associated with VITA
There are thousands of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites across the country and more than 250 in Texas. Located at libraries, community colleges, churches and community-based organizations, these sites pop up during tax season in areas accessible to low- and moderate-income (LMI) workers.
Journal Article
Pathways to financial advancement
In view of the economic downturn and the enlarged wealth gap, it is imperative for policymakers to examine the pathways for American families to build sufficient savings to mitigate financial shocks
Journal Article
The Importance of Filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) encourages work and reduces poverty by rewarding low- and moderate-income working families at tax time. Low-wage workers may receive the EITC even though they owe no tax or are not required to file. When the EITC amount exceeds their tax liability, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will still refund the balance.
Journal Article
Alternative Refund Settlement Products May Compromise Asset-Building Goals
High-cost, short-term loans such as the refund anticipation loan (RAL) have historically been popular with low-income filers. RALs are based on the taxpayer's expected refund and are issued at the time of filing. They allow the taxpayer to receive an anticipated refund earlier, in the form of a loan. These products have often been associated with high prices and extra filing costs. Nationwide, 7.2 million taxpayers received RALs in 2009, and 87 percent of those were low income.
Journal Article
Patterns and Trends of Housing Affordability in Texas
In the aftermath of the Great Recession, it is critical to reexamine the definition of what is affordable to a homebuyer and how the measures of housing affordability play out for average households in Texas and the United States.