The Tax-Man Giveth? Refunds, Savings, and Promoting Economic Security

Millions of Americans are waiting for their big tax refund. Most have already spent the money before it arrives. What if there were a way to turn that moment upside down? What if we could get millions of Americans to apply their refunds to building financial security by paying down debt, saving for an emergency, or building a nest egg?  
 
In 2013, Intuit, Inc. (the makers of TurboTax), the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis, and Duke University launched Refund to Savings, the largest intervention of its kind, to see if simple changes integrated into the tax filing process could help striving families set aside part of their refund for saving. The result? Almost $6 million saved by families earning less than $11,000 a year.
 

Participants