A report by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy on the impact of refund anticipation loans on working families of West Virgnia. In 2007 alone, West Virginians lost $13 million in refund antcipation loan fees.

This paper provides new data showing the disproportionate use of RALs among EITC recipients in Native communities with an analysis of EITC recipients in 10 states with large shares of Native Americanpopulation and lands.

While we believe that many commercial RALs are abusive financial products that should not be available to consumers without significant protections beyond those currently available, we understand that the IRS does not have jurisdiction over the banks that make these loans. However, the IRS does have the authority to regulate the activity of commercial tax preparers and to sever the close link between the preparer and the loan that facilitates exploitation of taxpayers.

CRL's amicus brief in support of the plaintiff class in Hood v. Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. CRL argues that the National Bank Act's "visitorial powers" provision does not restrict private plaintiffs from bringing a class action alleging a violation of state consumer protection law before the California Court of Appeals, Second Appellate Division. The Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's dismissal of the class action in a September 2006 opinion published at 49 Cal. Rptr. 3d 369.

Brief overview of tax refund products with discussion of the three major products: RALs, RACs and Stored Value Cards. Explores ways to design better versions of each product that meet market demand in a more consumer-friendly way.

Discusses the costly effects of the current RAL market, makes the case that a well-designed RAL program can actually benefit consumers, and provides guidance on evaluating and developing a worthwhile RAL program.