For many taxpayers, a big refund feels like proof they’ve done something right.
The larger the tax refund, the more it seems like a financial win. However, Christopher Stroup, founder and president of Silicon Beach Financial, said that assumption often misses the bigger picture.
GOBankingRates spoke with Stroup about the one thing people get wrong about tax refunds.
Also see three money experts’ advice on what to do with your tax refund this year.
According to Stroup, the biggest mistake people make is assuming a large refund means they “won” tax season.
“The biggest misconception is that a large refund means you did something right,” he said. “Most of the time, it just means you gave the IRS an interest-free loan. That money could have improved cash flow, funded goals or been invested earlier in the year.”
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Stroup said the way refunds are delivered plays a big role in how people perceive them.
“Refunds feel like a bonus because they arrive all at once,” he said. “Psychologically, people frame them as ‘extra’ money, even though it’s their own. The lump-sum payoff often masks the opportunity cost of having less money available throughout the year.”
Spread across 12 months, that same money can offer more flexibility than a single refund check in the spring.
A large refund can feel satisfying in the moment, but it also reflects money that was unavailable throughout the year.
When more is withheld from each paycheck than necessary, take-home pay is slightly lower month after month. That difference may not always be noticeable, but over time it can limit how much flexibility someone has in their budget.
Smaller adjustments made earlier in the year often create more financial breathing room than a single check in the spring.
Stroup said focusing on the size of a refund misses the point.
“A ‘good’ tax outcome isn’t a big refund,” he said. “It’s paying close to what you owe. When your tax plan supports steady cash flow, your money can work harder throughout the year instead of sitting with the IRS.”
A large refund often means too much was withheld throughout the year. When that happens, taxpayers may want to review how their withholding is set up.
Bringing it closer to what is actually owed can increase take-home pay during the year instead of waiting for a lump sum at tax time. That steadier cash flow can then support savings, debt reduction or other financial priorities.