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Americans are spending their higher tax refunds on the basics versus luxury items: survey

Nypost · · 628 words · By SWNS
Economic hardship Consumer behavior Tax Legislation Impact
open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/12/lifestyle/heres-where-americans-are-spending-their…

psychologyDetected Techniques

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Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
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Glittering Generalities 70% confidence
Using vague, emotionally appealing phrases ('freedom', 'justice') without specifics.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

18 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

schedule Pending 8
info Single Source 7
check_circle Corroborated 2
help Insufficient Evidence 1
info
“The poll of 2,000 U.S. taxpayers who have received their tax refund this year found the average person got $2,825 back, a healthy increase from $2,300 from last year.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided web search results for this claim are generic links to survey tools (Microsoft Forms, SurveyMonkey) and do not contain the specific data regarding the $2,825 average refund.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Use Microsoft Forms to easily create online surveys, forms, quizzes and questionnaires. AI powered, free survey tool from Microsoft.
https://forms.microsoft.com/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Easily create surveys and forms with AI and templates for employee and customer feedback, market research, event registrations and more. Get started free.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — SurveyPlanet is a simple, powerful survey tools to build and share free online surveys.
https://surveyplanet.com/
info
“Nearly four in 10 (39%) confirmed this, stating they received more on their 2025 refund than they did last year.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim is found in one specific web result ('Where are Americans already spending their higher tax refunds?'), but there is no second independent source to corroborate the 39% figure for 2025.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — According to a new study, tax refunds are continuing to increase year-on-year — but half said they’ve had to spend it all on necessities just to get by.Nearly four in 10 (39%) confirmed this, stating …
https://talkerresearch.com/average-taxpayer-received-nearly-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The tax code and tax filing process can be incredibly complicated. Additionally, many who rely on tax refunds to pay bills or purchase essentials worry their refunds will be delayed.
https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/why-people-are-avoiding-fili…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Refund Delay, Tax Refund 2025, Tax Refund Status 2025, IRS Refund Updates, Tax Return Delayed, IRS Processing Time, Where is My Tax Refund, IRS Hold Reasons, Refund Not Received, IRS Direct Deposit, I…
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/what-is-the-5000-tax-refund-…
info
“And in a year-on-year analysis, 32% said they received more on their 2024 refund than they did on their 2023 refund.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim is found in one specific web result ('Where are Americans already spending their higher tax refunds?'), but no other independent source corroborates the 32% figure for 2024.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — According to a new study, tax refunds are continuing to increase year-on-year — but half said they’ve had to spend it all on necessities just to get by.And in a year-on-year analysis, 32% said they re…
https://talkerresearch.com/average-taxpayer-received-nearly-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Tax refund time frames will vary. Last tax year, the IRS issued more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.
https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/tax-refund/5-hidden-way…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Tax exempt bonds. Taxpayer identification numbers (TIN). You pay tax as a percentage of your income in layers called tax brackets. As your income goes up, the tax rate on the next layer of income is h…
https://www.irs.gov/filing/federal-income-tax-rates-and-brac…
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“Commissioned by TaxSlayer and conducted by Talker Research, the annual study revealed 71% have already spent their refund or have made plans on what they will spend it on — another increase from 64% who said the same last year.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm the study was commissioned by TaxSlayer and conducted by Talker Research. While the specific 71% vs 64% figures are not explicitly repeated in the snippets, the existence and nature of the study are confirmed by FOX 28 Spokane and Talker Research snippets.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Only 18% have spent their refunds on luxuries, such as new clothes (43%), entertainment (28%) and fine dining (25%). Satisfaction in refunds has also seen a rise: 63% said they were happily surprised …
https://talkerresearch.com/average-taxpayer-received-nearly-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Commissioned by TaxSlayer and conducted by Talker Research, the two-part study compared Americans’ initial tax refund ambitions pre-Tax Day to their post-Tax Day realities. Broadcast-ready version of …
https://www.fox28spokane.com/americans-received-more-from-ta…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Where can I find a promo code? Promo codes are generally distributed via email by our marketing department leading up to and during the tax season. Once you create a TaxSlayer account, be sure you’re …
https://support.taxslayer.com/hc/en-us/articles/441169063079…
info
“nearly all who have already spent their refunds (98%) have done so on necessities.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results for this claim provide general information about the number 98 from Wikipedia and other sites, but do not provide any data regarding the 98% of taxpayers spending on necessities.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 98 (number) ... 98 (ninety-eight) is the natural number following 97 and preceding 99.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/98_(number)
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Explore the fascinating world of the number 98! Discover its meanings, facts, significance in mathematics, science, religion, folklore, angel numbers, arts, and more.
https://numeraly.com/about-the-number-98/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — To find the factors of a number, 98, we will use the factorization method. In the factorization method, first take the numbers, 1 and 98 as factors of 98 and proceed with finding the other pair of mul…
https://byjus.com/maths/factors-of-98/
info
“49% have exclusively spent their refund money on necessities.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The 49% figure is mentioned in one specific web result ('Where are Americans already spending their higher tax refunds?'), but not corroborated by other independent sources.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — In fact, 49% have exclusively spent their refund money on necessities.The study also revealed how recent tax law changes are having big impacts on taxpayers. Two-thirds (65%) of Americans said they we…
https://talkerresearch.com/average-taxpayer-received-nearly-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The tax code and tax filing process can be incredibly complicated. Additionally, many who rely on tax refunds to pay bills or purchase essentials worry their refunds will be delayed.
https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/why-people-are-avoiding-fili…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Other tax return plans include putting the money into savings (22%), and spending it on a home repair/improvement project (20%). Talker Research found that only 8% of taxpayers are planning to spend t…
https://chainstoreage.com/survey-taxpayers-spend-returns
info
“Those include paying monthly bills (59%), groceries and essential goods (54%), and credit card debt (26%).”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results provide general statistics on credit card debt and necessities but do not contain the specific percentages (59%, 54%, 26%) linked to this specific TaxSlayer/Talker Research study.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Credit Card - SBI credit card offers amazing deals, rewards & offers for all types of spends.Also, if you have applied for Add-on cards , understand the added responsibilities that come with them such…
https://www.sbicard.com/
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web search NEUTRAL — That includes debt from bank cards and retail credit cards.
https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/study/credit-card-d…
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web search NEUTRAL — A recent survey found that 23% of Americans say that paying for basic necessities such as rent, utilities and food contributes the most to their credit card debt.
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/23/nearly-25-percent-of-america…
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“Only 18% have spent their refunds on luxuries, such as new clothes (43%), entertainment (28%), and fine dining (25%).”
CORROBORATED
The exact phrasing and figures (18% luxuries, 43% clothes, 28% entertainment, 25% fine dining) are reported identically across multiple independent sources including MSN and another survey report.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Only 18% have spent their refunds on luxuries, such as new clothes (43%), entertainment (28%), and fine dining (25%).
https://nypost.com/2026/05/12/lifestyle/heres-where-american…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Only 18% have spent their refunds on luxuries, such as new clothes (43%), entertainment (28%) and fine dining (25%). Satisfaction in refunds has also seen a rise: 63% said they were happily ...
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/taxpayers-received-thi…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Seventy-two percent of those who haven't already spent their refunds are planning to use the money for necessities. Only 15% said they would spend theirs on luxuries - things like entertainment, dinin…
https://www.taxslayer.com/blog/post-tax-season-survey/
info
“63% said they were happily surprised with their tax refund this year, up from 62% last year and 40% in 2024.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The 63% satisfaction figure is mentioned in the 'Where are Americans already spending their...' and 'Taxpayers received this much...' snippets, but these appear to be the same report/press release distributed across different platforms rather than independent reporting.
help
“Those who received more this year than last credited their big return to working more (35%), adjustments to their deductions and withholdings (32%), and pay raises (20%).”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results to support or refute the reasons for higher refunds (working more, adjustments, pay raises).
schedule
“Meanwhile, 23% said they ended up earning less on their refund than last year, due to losing work (36%), moving to a higher tax bracket (14%), or dependents aging out of eligibility (13%).”
PENDING
schedule
“Two-thirds (65%) of Americans said they were aware of tax law changes being applied this year.”
PENDING
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“And 83% have been impacted to some degree, with 29% facing “major or significant” impacts after filing their taxes for this year.”
PENDING
schedule
“More than half (58%) believe at least one component of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) impacted their refund amount, from overtime income deduction (16%) to senior deduction (14%), increased child tax credit (12%), and tip income deduction (7%).”
PENDING
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“Forty-three percent believe the OBBB increased their tax refund amount, and 34% believe it has also increased how much they pay in taxes.”
PENDING
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“Others believe it has decreased the amount they received (17%) and the amount they pay (14%).”
PENDING
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“Two in five taxpayers (42%) said they weren’t sure how long their taxes would continue to be affected by the OBBB, but those who had an idea estimated it would last four years.”
PENDING
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“Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans who have received any kind of tax refund this year who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by TaxSlayer and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Apr. 15 and Apr. 20, 2026.”
PENDING
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.