Senior Director, Asset Building Strategies Cary Gladstone Senior Director, Asset Building Strategies Granite United Way Cary.gladstone@graniteuw.org

Granite United Way & CA$H Coalition of NH 13 VITA sites 2018 filing season: 4192 returns 269 split refunds (Split refunds range from 0 to 18%) (About 4200 federal returns) 269 split refunds (Nearly 300 filers split their refund) As many as 72 at 1 site (13%) 66 of 358 at another site, 18%

First grand prize winner--$25,000 in 2013, plus several smaller winners 2018 Save Your Refund—8 $100 winners 8% of total, in location w/less than 1% US population

Tips for Success: Begins & ends with Site Coordinator Everyone asking everyone Volunteers must understand refund options: Split up refunds into up to 3 accounts/Savings Bond Direct Deposit into 1 account Paper check A word about savings bonds: Savings bonds are not for everyone but are still in the mix—2.52% Currently I’ve seen filers walk out of the site standing a little taller for becoming a long-term saver…for as little as $50.

Prosperity Now Tool Kit has tips on talking with your filers about splitting. Intake sheet provides opportunity for conversation points CFPB material on “anchoring”—suggested amounts— For example, if a filer previously went to a commercial preparer, ask how much they spent. The response--$200-$300—can anchor the conversation about splitting to a specific amount.

Save Your Refund “We’re giving away $30,000” Not the main reason to split, but makes it fun! Pay yourself first “We’re giving away $30,000”

First-year partner where previous site coordinator, did not embrace split refund Newbie a Split Refund enthusiast—the River Center, Peterborough, NH –23 returns, 8% Rookie of the Year Pictured is Tara, who wanted to model savings for younger people, and wound up winning $10,000

Granite United Way’s site in Laconia— 17 splits but “no winners”—until grand prizes were announced Cassandra, a single mom who worked 3 jobs in 2017 and put herself through school. Here we see her on graduation day. With her $10,000 she wants to open a hair salon

The VITA community and all of our filers Special Thanks to Commonwealth America Saves The VITA community and all of our filers 2 chances to win Grand Prizes can be double life-changing Conversation with Cassandra recalled Lily 5 years earlier Cassandra was just as flabbergasted with $10,000