Is it good to get money back on tax return?
Is getting a big tax refund a good thing? No, some financial experts and taxpayers say, because it means you're giving up too much of your paycheck to taxes during the year. If less is taken out for taxes, you'll get a smaller refund but more money in each paycheck for expenses or saving and investing, they argue.
Refunds are often used to pay down bills, start an emergency fund or splurge on something special. Of course, refund checks may be pleasant to receive, but they aren't free money from the government.
Receiving a big tax refund is not necessarily a good thing. The IRS does not pay you interest on your money it has held onto throughout the year. If you reduce your tax withholding by adjusting your W-4, you will be able to hold onto more of your own money in the form of bigger paychecks throughout the year.
| Rank | State | Average refund |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Connecticut | $4,877 |
| 8 | Texas | $4,753 |
| 9 | California | $4,671 |
| 10 | Louisiana | $4,617 |
That's because the majority of Americans receive a tax refund according to the IRS. However, the size of the refund you receive depends on a wide range of factors. Things like how much money you earned, how much you paid into taxes and what expenses you faced throughout the year all play a role.
The biggest factor in determining a refund amount is how much you've paid in over the course of the year. Are you making an exact comparison? If the person you're thinking of has more dependents, or a different filing status than you, your tax returns will have widely different results.
Why do people get money back for taxes? Tax refunds are issued by the federal or state government to reimburse taxpayers for any excess taxes they paid and/or had withheld from their paychecks throughout the year.
If you make $50,000 a year living in the region of California, USA, you will be taxed $10,242. That means that your net pay will be $39,758 per year, or $3,313 per month.
If you make $60,000 a year living in the region of California, USA, you will be taxed $13,653. That means that your net pay will be $46,347 per year, or $3,862 per month.
- Contribute more to your retirement and health savings accounts.
- Choose the right deduction and filing strategy.
- Donate to charity.
- Be organized and thorough.
Will refunds be bigger in 2024?
Data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) shows bigger tax refunds in 2024 compared with previous years. The average filer is expected to receive $3,011 − an increase of $123 from last year, the Associated Press reports.
If you make $70,000 a year living in the region of California, USA, you will be taxed $17,665. That means that your net pay will be $52,335 per year, or $4,361 per month. Your average tax rate is 25.2% and your marginal tax rate is 41.0%.
If you make $12,000 a year living in the region of California, USA, you will be taxed $1,050. That means that your net pay will be $10,950 per year, or $913 per month.
Claiming 1 on your tax return reduces withholdings with each paycheck, which means you make more money on a week-to-week basis. When you claim 0 allowances, the IRS withholds more money each paycheck but you get a larger tax return.
There are many events that may reduce your refund, including: Starting an additional job (especially self-employment) Getting a significant raise, but your W-4 staying the same. Selling stock, crypto, or other investments.
Generally, more income means more taxes. Your new total income might be in a higher tax bracket. Your second W-2 could have pushed your total income into a higher tax bracket, making it taxed at a higher marginal rate. Your withholding credits may not have increased enough to cover your taxes from the second job.
- Have worked and earned income under $63,398.
- Have investment income below $11,000 in the tax year 2023.
- Have a valid Social Security number by the due date of your 2023 return (including extensions)
The most common reason why taxpayers end up owing money to the IRS is because they did not have enough money taken out of their paychecks throughout the year, according to tax experts. When employees first start a job, they fill out a W-4 form, which determines how much money is withheld from their paychecks for taxes.
Keep in mind there's no limit to the size of a tax refund. You can even get a bigger tax refund than what you already paid in taxes.
If you make $80,000 a year living in the region of California, USA, you will be taxed $21,763. That means that your net pay will be $58,237 per year, or $4,853 per month.
How much will my tax return be if I made 47000?
If you make $47,000 a year living in the region of California, USA, you will be taxed $9,421. That means that your net pay will be $37,579 per year, or $3,132 per month. Your average tax rate is 20.1% and your marginal tax rate is 27.4%.
If you make $65,000 a year living in the region of California, USA, you will be taxed $15,631. That means that your net pay will be $49,369 per year, or $4,114 per month.
A table shows tax brackets for tax year 2021. Table with 4 columns and 7 rows. Currently displaying rows 1 to 7. You'd be in the 22% marginal tax bracket if you earn $60,000 in the 2022 tax year and you're single, but you wouldn't pay 22% of your total income in taxes.
If you make $90,000 a year living in the region of California, USA, you will be taxed $25,861. That means that your net pay will be $64,139 per year, or $5,345 per month.
You may be in line for a smaller tax refund this year if your income rose in 2023. Earning a lot of interest in a bank account could also lead to a smaller refund. A smaller refund isn't necessarily terrible, since it means you got paid sooner rather than loaning the IRS money for no good reason.
