77% of Americans Plan To Use Tax Refunds for Essential Expenses: 5 Tips for Using Yours

For Americans who usually receive a tax refund, that spring windfall sometimes helps cover a treat, like a family vacation, a pool or new patio furniture. But for a majority of people this year, their tax refund is going toward necessities, according to a study from Talker Research, commissioned by TaxSlayer.

The study found that 77% of Americans will spend their tax refund on necessities this year. What’s on the top of their list? More than half (52%) of those polled said the money will go toward rent or utility bills. Meanwhile, 44% will put the money toward groceries and essential goods. Thirty-seven percent are using the cash to pay down credit card debt, with 56% of that group still paying off holiday bills.

This is common — and nothing to be ashamed of — in today’s financial environment.

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“If your refund is going straight to keeping the lights on and food in the fridge, that probably says more about the cost of living than your decision-making,” said Taylor Kovar, CFP, founder and CEO of 11 Financial. “That kind of pressure is real.”

However, there are ways to plan ahead to remove some of that financial sting throughout the rest of 2025. Try spending what you can of your tax refund strategically to try to get ahead.

If you’re consistently running behind on fixed expenses, like your car loan, rent or utility bills, you should “zoom out and look at the patterns,” Kovar advised. “It’s worth seeing if there’s a monthly expense that’s quietly draining your budget.”

See if you can change due dates on bills so everything doesn’t hit your bank account at the same time too. If you have good credit, consider consolidating some of your credit card debt to a 0% interest credit card that you can aim to pay off within 12 to 18 months.

Sometimes, small tweaks like changing due dates and reducing interest payments can provide the breathing room you need.

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If you can, deposit part of your refund into a high-yield savings account to provide a buffer for months when emergency expenses crop up or cash gets tight.

“The goal isn’t perfection,” Kovar said. “It’s just trying to make the months ahead feel a little less like a juggling act.”

If you’re still paying off last year’s holiday celebrations, take heart. “You’re not the only one,” Kovar said. “A lot of people spend January through April trying to clean up December.”