Publications
Publications
- 2008
- HBS Working Paper Series
Just Keep My Money! Supporting Tax-time Savings with U.S. Savings Bonds
By: Peter Tufano
Abstract
This paper reports the results of a 2007 experiment testing if specific process simplification can foster increased take-up rates for savings products, particularly by low-to-moderate income (LMI) households. Tax refund recipients at certain H&R Block tax preparation offices were given the option to purchase U.S. Savings Bonds with their tax refunds, augmenting the tax-site savings options offered by Block. Those who received the savings bond offer were substantially more likely to purchase a savings product on-site than those who didn't, even after controlling for client demographics. Much of this take-up was directed at intra-family gifting, or asset building on behalf of children.
Keywords
Citation
Tufano, Peter. "Just Keep My Money! Supporting Tax-time Savings with U.S. Savings Bonds." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 09-059, October 2008. (Revised August 2010.)
