More Than Half of U.S. Workers Will Use Their Tax Return to Pay off Bills, Finds New CareerBuilder Survey

RISMEDIA, April 15, 2010—W2, 1099, 1040; these numbers are a welcome sight to workers across the country who may have bills piling up. According to a new CareerBuilder survey, more than half (56%) of workers report they will use their tax return to pay off bills that have accumulated. The CareerBuilder survey was conducted among more than 5,200 workers between November 5 and November 23, 2009.

Tax returns can be a needed income boost for cash-strapped workers. Nearly eight-in-ten (78%) said they currently live paycheck to paycheck, up from 61% who said the same in May 2009. In addition, economic pressures have resulted in some workers downsizing their investments to help make ends meet. Nearly one-in-five (17%) report they reduced their 401k contributions in the last year.

“Workers’ wallets are still feeling the ripple effects of the past year,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder. “In addition to scaling back their investments and cutting back on expenses, workers are using their tax returns to help supplement their incomes. Our survey indicates that more workers plan to spend their refunds on everyday expenses than on savings or other items.”

While many workers indicated they will use their tax returns to tackle bills, others said they will use their refunds for the following:

- Put into savings – 34%

- Make home improvements – 12%

- Go on vacation – 11%

- Pay back money I owe to people – 8%

- Invest it – 7%

- Buy a car – 2%

For more information, visit www.careerbuilder.com.

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