Taxes

Smart Ways To Use Your Tax Refund

Smart Ways To Use Your Tax Refund

Smart Ways To Use Your Tax Refund

Zoe Team

2 min read

A financial advisor reviewing a plan with two clients at a table

Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

  • A tax refund isn’t a bonus; it’s your own money returned to you after an interest-free loan to the government.

  • The best way to use a refund is to align it with your financial goals, such as paying down debt or saving for the future.

  • Consider whether you should adjust your withholdings so you have more take-home pay throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to spend a tax refund?

Prioritize your financial goals by paying off high-interest debt, building an emergency fund, or investing for long-term growth.

Is a tax refund ‘free money’?

No, it is simply the return of your own money that you overpaid to the government during the previous year.

Should I aim for a large tax refund?

Generally, it is more efficient to adjust your withholdings so you receive your money during the year rather than waiting for a lump sum.

One of the few moments of excitement when it comes to doing your taxes is getting some of that money back. Roughly, 70% of Americans, will receive a tax refund this year … If you fall into this camp, what should you do with that check that’s in the mail? Let’s first take a look at what people say they plan to use their refund on according to this year’s Gobankingrates survey. Out of 5,000 respondents: 43% will save the money 36% will pay off debt 10% will take a vacation 11% other Ok, so an overwhelming majority of people plan to do the right thing and save this money or pay off their debt. Great. Hard to argue with that. Whether or not that actually do so we will never know. You can, however, choose to use part of your refund for some things and part for others. Although we all have a unique relationship with money, in a logical world this is how you should prioritize where your refund goes for the boring stuff.

Pay off credit cards

Credit card interest rates are currently around 17%. In comparison, a high-interest savings account pays you 2.45% interest. That’s a pretty substantial difference. So if you are not paying off your credit card on a monthly basis, using your tax refund to do so is a no-brainer.

Emergency Fund

As we discussed in our blog Doomsday Prepping: Adding A Little Crazy To Your Finances, when life throws at you a curveball, having access to funds to cover the associated expenses is a priority. Before considering the fun ways on which to spend your tax refund, make sure you establish an emergency fund.

Pay Down Debt (Mortgage, student loans, car loans)

Ask yourself which number is greater: the potential return on your investment s or the interest you are paying. If you are paying more interest on your existing debt than you could earn by investing your tax refund, you are far better off paying down debt. It is important, however, to consider the emotional component here. Besides the math, for some people, it might help them to sleep better at night having a smaller debt load, regardless of the interest comparison.

Buy Life Insurance

If your partner or children depend on your income, having adequate life insurance is essential. Protecting your loved ones from any unforeseen life events is one of those unfun “to-dos”. You just have to suck it up and get it done.

Get a Will

One of the few moments of excitement when it comes to doing your taxes is getting some of that money back. Roughly, 70% of Americans, will receive a tax refund this year … If you fall into this camp, what should you do with that check that’s in the mail? Let’s first take a look at what people say they plan to use their refund on according to this year’s Gobankingrates survey. Out of 5,000 respondents: 43% will save the money 36% will pay off debt 10% will take a vacation 11% other Ok, so an overwhelming majority of people plan to do the right thing and save this money or pay off their debt. Great. Hard to argue with that. Whether or not that actually do so we will never know. You can, however, choose to use part of your refund for some things and part for others. Although we all have a unique relationship with money, in a logical world this is how you should prioritize where your refund goes for the boring stuff.

Pay off credit cards

Credit card interest rates are currently around 17%. In comparison, a high-interest savings account pays you 2.45% interest. That’s a pretty substantial difference. So if you are not paying off your credit card on a monthly basis, using your tax refund to do so is a no-brainer.

Emergency Fund

As we discussed in our blog Doomsday Prepping: Adding A Little Crazy To Your Finances, when life throws at you a curveball, having access to funds to cover the associated expenses is a priority. Before considering the fun ways on which to spend your tax refund, make sure you establish an emergency fund.

Pay Down Debt (Mortgage, student loans, car loans)

Ask yourself which number is greater: the potential return on your investment s or the interest you are paying. If you are paying more interest on your existing debt than you could earn by investing your tax refund, you are far better off paying down debt. It is important, however, to consider the emotional component here. Besides the math, for some people, it might help them to sleep better at night having a smaller debt load, regardless of the interest comparison.

Buy Life Insurance

If your partner or children depend on your income, having adequate life insurance is essential. Protecting your loved ones from any unforeseen life events is one of those unfun “to-dos”. You just have to suck it up and get it done.

Get a Will

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Disclosure: This page is not investment advice and should not be relied on for such advice or as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or financial advisors. The observations of industry trends should not be read as recommendations for stocks or sectors.


Investment advisory services are provided by Zoe Financial, Inc. (Zoe Financial), an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Learn more about Zoe Financial on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. Brokerage services are provided by Zoe Securities LLC and Apex Clearing Corporation, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Learn more about Zoe Securities and Apex on FINRA’s BrokerCheck website.

The information in the visuals above is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual user's account, balance, or return. Zoe Financial does not provide tax or legal advice.

Explore the Zoe Wealth Platform with AI

Some of this content may have been generated with the assistance of AI. Please review and sense-check all outputs, as AI tools can occasionally produce incomplete or inaccurate information.
In certain situations, you may be required to disclose that the content was “generated by AI.” Please confirm any specific disclosure or labelling requirements with Compliance.

(646) 680-9244

support@zoefin.com

666 Third Ave, 6th Floor
New York, NY, 10017

Copyright © 2026 Zoe Financial, Inc. | All rights reserved

Disclosure: This page is not investment advice and should not be relied on for such advice or as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or financial advisors. The observations of industry trends should not be read as recommendations for stocks or sectors.


Investment advisory services are provided by Zoe Financial, Inc. (Zoe Financial), an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Learn more about Zoe Financial on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. Brokerage services are provided by Zoe Securities LLC and Apex Clearing Corporation, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Learn more about Zoe Securities and Apex on FINRA’s BrokerCheck website.

The information in the visuals above is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual user's account, balance, or return. Zoe Financial does not provide tax or legal advice.

Explore the Zoe Wealth Platform with AI

Some of this content may have been generated with the assistance of AI. Please review and sense-check all outputs, as AI tools can occasionally produce incomplete or inaccurate information.
In certain situations, you may be required to disclose that the content was “generated by AI.” Please confirm any specific disclosure or labelling requirements with Compliance.

(646) 680-9244

support@zoefin.com

666 Third Ave, 6th Floor
New York, NY, 10017

Copyright © 2026 Zoe Financial, Inc. | All rights reserved

Disclosure: This page is not investment advice and should not be relied on for such advice or as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or financial advisors. The observations of industry trends should not be read as recommendations for stocks or sectors.


Investment advisory services are provided by Zoe Financial, Inc. (Zoe Financial), an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Learn more about Zoe Financial on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. Brokerage services are provided by Zoe Securities LLC and Apex Clearing Corporation, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Learn more about Zoe Securities and Apex on FINRA’s BrokerCheck website.

The information in the visuals above is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual user's account, balance, or return. Zoe Financial does not provide tax or legal advice.

Explore the Zoe Wealth Platform with AI

Some of this content may have been generated with the assistance of AI. Please review and sense-check all outputs, as AI tools can occasionally produce incomplete or inaccurate information.
In certain situations, you may be required to disclose that the content was “generated by AI.” Please confirm any specific disclosure or labelling requirements with Compliance.

(646) 680-9244

support@zoefin.com

666 Third Ave, 6th Floor
New York, NY, 10017

Copyright © 2025 Zoe Financial, Inc. | All rights reserved