ERIC Number: EJ1042565
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Aug
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1077-5315
EISSN: N/A
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Programs and Taxpayer Actions to Improve Personal Finances
Bobbitt, Erica; Bowen, Cathy F.; Kuleck, Robin L.; Taverno, Ronald
Journal of Extension, v50 n4 Article 4RIB9 Aug 2012
The income tax-filing process creates teachable moments for learning about taxes and other financial matters. Educators and volunteers from Penn State Cooperative Extension helped taxpayers file 2008 returns under Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Nearly 600 filers (588) completed and simultaneously received educational information about managing personal finances. This article describes the actions taxpayers took to improve their financial stability. Nearly half (48.8%) of the filers believed their understanding of taxes had increased a lot since having their taxes prepared by Penn State Cooperative Extension. Implications for Extension educators and program benefits for taxpayers and volunteers are suggested.
Descriptors: Volunteers, Taxes, Income, Cooperative Programs, School Community Programs, College Programs, Outreach Programs, Financial Services, Money Management, Program Descriptions, Extension Education, Educational Benefits, Mail Surveys, Telephone Surveys, Participant Satisfaction
Extension Journal, Inc. e-mail: joe-ed@joe.org; Web site: http://www.joe.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Pennsylvania
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A