Getting your tax refund is exciting and although you may want to spend it on something fun, our tax tips will help you to make the most of your return to improve your financial wellbeing and set yourself up for a future that is a little less stressful.
Tax Tips to Help You Make the Most Out of Your Tax Refund:
1. Pay off your debt
This should be the priority whenever you have something extra at the end of the month or if you receive your tax refund. Debt can get out of control very quickly, and you should aim to pay off the bills with the highest interest first. Paying off your debt as soon as possible leaves you in a more secure position financially, and it will help you to avoid the stress of debt collectors knocking on your door.
2. Create an emergency fund
Life can go very wrong, very quickly. Accidents, medical emergencies, car troubles and loss of income can ruin any person financially if there is no emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. To avoid this, you should build an emergency fund that will help you to cover your living expenses for at least three months, but ideally up to six months. Even if you can’t put such a large sum away, any little bit will be beneficial when misfortune strikes.
3. Increase your insurance coverage
Protecting the lives of your loved ones as well as your property is always a sound investment. If you are financially sound in other ways, you can put your tax refund to good use by increasing your insurance coverage to include all property and the lives of your dependents. Accidents, damage and theft, are traumatic experiences which are made even worse by not having adequate insurance coverage.
4. Boost your retirement
It is never too early to start putting money away for your retirement. Even if you already have a retirement fund, your tax refund can help you to grow it even more. Most Americans are not saving enough for their retirement. 22% of Americans don’t even have $5000 set aside for their retirement. Don’t gamble with your future, instead use your tax refund to prepare for your retirement.
5. Start a savings fund
Whether you have your eye on a new car, a family vacation or if you’re putting money aside for your children’s education, you can use your tax refund to start saving for those big financial goals that you want to achieve. If you get into the habit of saving instead of getting into debt, your overall financial wellbeing will be much more sound than the average person.
6. Invest
If you’re already in a sound financial position, you can use your tax refund to improve your situation even further by making a sound investment. Whether you decide to invest in stocks or use the money to upskill yourself, your tax refund can give you the push that you need to set yourself up for financial prosperity.
7. Make improvements to your home
The key is to make improvements that will increase the value of your home, help you to save on expenses or that will improve your quality of life. Avoid making improvements that will end up costing you more over the years, like installing a swimming pool that needs constant maintenance. Instead, you may want to improve the insulation in your home to bring down your heating bill or give your house a fresh coat of paint to enhance the aesthetic of the property.
8. Replace an item that cost you money with a more efficient model
If you own an appliance that gets used regularly, but it’s not a very efficient model, you can use your tax refund to replace it with something a little more modern. Old refrigerators, washers and dryers tend to use more energy to run, which can make your utility bill soar. Investing your tax refund in a newer appliance can help you to save money over the long run.
9. Donate to charity
If you’re in the fortunate position where you have financial stability, you can use your tax refund to help those who are less fortunate than you. Do a bit of research into charities in your area and consider donating to a cause that you feel passionate about.
For more tax tips and information on your tax refund, contact accounting service experts, Georgen Scarborough Associates, PC. today.