MyBankTracker Survey: Most Americans Plan to Save Their Tax Refunds

FOSTER CITY, Calif., March 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The COVID-19 pandemic is still impacting the United States' economy. Even though the Internal Revenue Service delayed the tax filing deadline, many may still file early -- if they haven't already. Some taxpayers may be relying on their refunds for financial certainty after an uncertain year. Today, MyBankTracker.com releases its newest survey results after asking more than 3,500 Americans how they plan to use most of their tax refund.

Review all recommendations for the "Best Ways to Use Your Tax Refund in 2021."

Highlights

• Building savings is the most popular intended use (19%) for the 2021 tax season refund
• About 14% plan to pay off existing debt 
• Around 8% want to use it on a household expense
• Only 4.3% say they will invest it
• Men are more likely to invest the tax refund (5.8%) or spend it (3.1%) on something fun 
• Women are more likely to save the tax refund (19.3%), use it pay off debt (15.4%), or use it for a household expense (8.7%)
• The middle age groups (ages 35-44 and 44-54) chose "Other" as the most popular use for their tax refunds 
• All other age groups chose "Savings" as their most popular money option
• Respondents age 25-34 are the most likely to invest their tax refunds or spend it on something fun 
• Nearly 35% of respondents do not expect a refund

A detailed analysis of the data (overall and broken down by age and gender) is available within the article.

"For many, 2020 was not just some sort of financial stress test, it was a true emergency." observes Simon Zhen, senior research analyst and editorial director for MyBankTracker. "So, we recommend taxpayers put their refund for tax year 2020 toward increased financial security."

Best Ways to Use Your Tax Refund

Tax Tip: Use the IRS Withholding Calculator to get your refund as close to $0. Seeing a refund hit your bank account may be fun, but it means the government got an interest-free loan. If taxpayers keep that money, rather than lending it, they can use it to build an emergency fund, invest or pay down debt.

Simon Zhen is available to provide a detailed analysis of the research findings. He is a personal finance expert with more than a decade of experience in the banking industry and can offer insights on consumer banking products, 2021 financial trends, credit cards, bank innovations and financial technology.

MyBankTracker is an independent comparison website helping consumers make smart banking and financial decisions. The mission is to match consumers to their perfect bank by providing and tracking in-depth information on more than 5,000 banks, credit unions and financial products. Using a combination of technology and money management expertise, MBT provides personal finance comparison tools and educates consumers to optimize their relationships with banks and lenders.

Twitter: @mybanktracker
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mybanktracker

Media contact
Amy Eury
Public Relations Manager
412-532-9352
[email protected]
LinkedIn

SOURCE MyBankTracker.com