Tax Refunds

Most taxpayers get tax refunds. Many of them plan for the tax cash every year, using the “Bank of IRS” as a forced savings account for tax overwithheld from their paychecks. Other taxpayers, however, get a refund surprise when they file their tax returns. Whatever the reason you’re getting tax cash from Uncle Sam, check out these posts for ways to get the biggest possible refund and, of course, how to track it down if the Internal Revenue Service takes its sweet time in sending you your money.

Tax Refunds

Most taxpayers get tax refunds. Many of them plan for the tax cash every year, using the “Bank of IRS” as a forced savings account for tax overwithheld from their paychecks. Other taxpayers, however, get a refund surprise when they file their tax returns. Whatever the reason you’re getting tax cash from Uncle Sam, check out these posts for ways to get the biggest possible refund and, of course, how to track it down if the Internal Revenue Service takes its sweet time in sending you your money.

A woman with dark hair, wearing a polka dot shirt, celebrates while holding a document, expressing joy and excitement in a bright, modern workspace.
Close-up of a $100 bill, a U.S. Treasury check featuring the Statue of Liberty, and a 1040 tax form, illustrating financial documents and payments.

Most taxpayers, at both the federal and state levels, get tax refunds every year. But this filing season, five states have been particularly slow in sending residents’ their refunds.

Sure, February is home to Valentine’s Day, but millions of Americans’ thoughts turn not to love, but taxes. This shortest month is a big one for taxpayers. Here are 3 tax moves to help with your return filing and tax refund.

A worried woman examines paperwork at a table, while a man leans in closely, both appearing stressed over financial issues.

By the end of last week (March 21), the Internal Revenue Service had sent out just more than 55.7 million refunds. The average check amount was $3,221.

A hand holds several U.S. banknotes in front of an American flag, symbolizing finance and patriotism.

By mid-March, the Internal Revenue Service had sent out almost $163 billion in tax refunds. The average refund amount was $3,271.

A woman partially obscured by a sheer black veil, gently touching her hair, evokes a sense of intimacy and contemplation against a neutral background.

While Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) personnel are looking for Social Security benefits they believe were fraudulently sent to very old, probably deceased individuals, Uncle Sam’s official tax watchdog has a different take.

A person holds coins in their outstretched hand, with an empty pocket visible, symbolizing financial struggles.

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff recently obtained read-only access to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ child support database.

Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate, for accurate income tax withholding. Includes sections for personal information, multiple jobs, and deductions.

Almost 29 million taxpayers have filed returns so far this 2023 tax season.

U.S. Treasury check featuring the Statue of Liberty, dated March 2023, alongside a Form 1040 tax document, highlighting tax refund details.

Tax law change confusion and paycheck withholding miscalculations have led to a lot of grumbling by many filers about the size of their tax refund checks. Here’s what to do if you think your tax refund is wrong.

Blog Posts

The More Tax Posts tab at the top of this page will take you to, well, more tax posts. You also can search below for a tax topic. 

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Hello Tax Season 2026

Happy New Tax Year! Are you ready to file your 2025 tax return? I know, too early to ask. But Tax Day 2026 will be here before we realize it. The Internal Revenue Service deadline to file and pay any tax we owe is the regular April 15 date this year. It’s also Tax Day for most of the states that collect income taxes from their residents, which is most of the states! If that seems too far away right now, don’t worry. As is the case every tax season, the ol’ blog’s tips and other tax reminders should help all of us meet our state and federal responsibilities. Procrastinators also will want to keep an eye on the countdown clock just below. It tracks how much time we have until April’s Tax Day, just in case we put off our annual tax task until the absolutely final hours and decide we need to instead get an extension request into the IRS by that date. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)