The average American expects to get a tax refund of $2,023.50 this year, down 13% from $2,338.40 last year, according to a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults by OnePoll for Cricket Wireless, the New York Post reports.
One in four Americans, 25%, have no idea if they’ll even get a tax refund this year, up from 20% in 2023.
The majority of people getting refunds are depending on the money. More than two-thirds, 67%, said they would use the money in a more “mature” way than in years past, 60% said they are relying on the extra cash, and 36% plan to save the windfall.
The survey also found that many tax filers are not savvy about factors that can lower or increase their taxes, with just 38% knowing that getting married or having a child affects tax returns. Twenty percent could not define common tax terms like “adjusted gross income,” “dependent,” or “filing status.”
Just over one-third, 34%, think the economy in 2024 will improve from 2023.
Facing continued high prices from inflation of the past three years, 68% say they are budgeting more, and 44% are spending less money. Fifty-one percent track their spending on their phone.
Among those who use financial apps, last year 52% used a banking app. This year, that has shot up to 92%.
“High inflation and an unpredictable economy make many Americans feel uncertain around tax season,” said Tony Mokry, chief marketing officer at CricketWireless. “For many, this is the only time of year that they receive a windfall, and how they treat these funds oftentimes sets the tone for their year financially.”
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