More Tax Time Troubles (2012) (1.46 MB)
In late 2011 and early 2012 First Nations Development Institute conducted a “mystery shopper” survey of tax preparation services in reservation border towns in New Mexico. Our research uncovered several problems with paid tax preparers, including aggressive marketing of expensive loans against tax refunds. This report provides an overview of the “mystery shopper” research.

Tax Time Troubles (2011) (428 KB)
First Nations Development Institute conducted a “mystery shopper” survey of tax preparation services in reservation border towns in New Mexico in 2011. Our research uncovered several problems with paid tax preparers, including poor quality tax preparation and hidden fees. This report provides an overview of the “mystery shopper” research.

Borrowed Time: Use of Refund Anticipation Loans Among EITC Filers in Native American Communities (2009) (1.6 MB)
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which supplements the earnings of low-to-moderate income working families, returns over $44 billion each year to these households and their communities and lifts approximately five million people above the poverty line. Unfortunately, paid tax preparers have weakened the economic impact of the EITC by over $600 million a year by offering Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) that give EITC recipients quicker access to their refunds in return for high fees of 50-500 percent APR. Households in communities of color are disproportionately impacted by high-cost RAL products. This report provides data on the use of RALs in Native communities.

Use of EITC and Predatory Tax Products in Montana: 2008 Filing Year (1.1 MB)
The goal of this report is to provide some basic information about the use of EITC, RALs, and Refund Anticipation Checks (RACs) in Montana for the 2008 Tax Filing year. In addition, some information is provided about the use of EITC, RALs, and RACs in Native American communities in the state.

Use of EITC and Predatory Tax Products in New Mexico: 2008 Filing Year (1.3 MB)
The goal of this report is to provide some basic information about the use of EITC, RALs, and Refund Anticipation Checks (RACs) in New Mexico for the 2008 Tax Filing year. In addition, some information is provided about the use of EITC, RALs, and RACs in Native American communities in the state.

Use of EITC and Predatory Tax Products in North Dakota: 2008 Filing Year (1.1 MB)
The goal of this report is to provide some basic information about the use of EITC, RALs, and Refund Anticipation Checks (RACs) in North Dakota for the 2008 Tax Filing year. In addition, some information is provided about the use of EITC, RALs, and RACs in Native American communities in the state.

Use of EITC and Predatory Tax Products in South Dakota: 2008 Filing Year (1.1 MB)
The goal of this report is to provide some basic information about the use of EITC, RALs, and Refund Anticipation Checks (RACs) in South Dakota for the 2008 Tax Filing year. In addition, some information is provided about the use of EITC, RALs, and RACs in Native American communities in the state.