Characteristics of Users of Refund Anticipation Loans and Refund Anticipation Checks

We find that among the most important characteristics influencing RAL/RAC use were lower income, young adulthood, single head-of-household filing status, receipt of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and use of a paid preparer. We also find that RALs and RACs are highly spatially concentrated and that living in the poorest communities is associated with dramatic increases in use of these products, even after controlling for a taxpayer's income and filing status. Also, for the first time, we found some unique differences in the use of RALs versus RACs according to such variables as military status.