# What do you plan on doing with your tax return? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 10, 2008, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954 "2008-01-10T05:31:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/21 "2008-01-10T13:14:16Z")
It will pay off a balance on a credit card that’s about to start charging interest. Boring, but helpful! ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/22 "2008-01-10T13:31:59Z")
Last year I got a higher refund than I had expected, partly because I had been having too much withheld from my wages and then ended up not having any capital gain from the sale of my house. This year is going to be a crapshoot. Early in the year I had invested a good chunk of money into mutual funds, and then in December received a higher capital gains distribution from them than I had expected. The tax withholding from my pension may or may not be enough to cover the additional capital gains tax; I haven’t tried to run the numbers yet. I also might owe state taxes that I wasn’t expecting because of this. My federal pension isn’t considered taxable income by NC, but I think I might owe taxes on the capital gains and dividends. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/23 "2008-01-10T13:39:27Z")
[QUOTE=Leaffan] Tax … return. I understand the meaning of both words, but together they are meaningless. [/QUOTE] Especially when it’s called a “windfall”. Usually, I think of a windfall as coming into some money serendipitously, money that you otherwise did not earn and would not have had. ---
**Author:** ![3acresandatruck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e79b87/32.png) [@3acresandatruck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3acresandatruck)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/24 "2008-01-10T13:43:17Z")
Usually, I just bank/invest my refund. In a few wilder years, I’d spend 10% and bank/invest the rest. But, I’m thinking this year, maybe I’ll spend the whole shebang. So here’s what I’ll get, if I go crazy: a new TV, a DVD player, a new PC, a nice chef’s knife, a recliner, and a new bathroom (tub, toilet, sink, pipe, fittings, and any needed tools that I don’t already have). ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/25 "2008-01-10T14:37:52Z")
I don’t think that there is any way (in Massachusetts at least) for me to avoid getting a refund. No matter how I adjust my withholding, I end up with a refund of about $100 or so. So, it looks like I’ll get to fill up my gas tank a few times. I’m hoping that I will owe the federal government money. With any luck, $1000 or more. That means that I’ve had the money instead of them, and I’m the one who’s earned the interest on it (as pitiful as that rate is). I’m fortunate enough to have saved the money to cover it, so why not? The check will be sent to them promptly on April 14. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/26 "2008-01-10T15:00:39Z")
[QUOTE=kambuckta] You buy a new gun every year? Why? [/QUOTE] Because I can’t afford to buy 20 every year. More’s the pity. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/27 "2008-01-10T15:05:34Z")
I’ll probably just send the check back to the government, get a head start on things to come 😉 Or buy a set of tires. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/28 "2008-01-10T15:05:36Z")
Last year I bought a new computer, this year I’m thinking of getting contacts and putting the rest in the car fund. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/29 "2008-01-10T15:15:06Z")
If my tax refund is as large and juicy as I’m hoping, I plan to pay off a credit card that’s been hemorraging me for a couple of years, then buy myself a real nice amp for my guitar habit - maybe a **Bogner** or **ENGL**. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/30 "2008-01-10T15:36:45Z")
I don’t expect to get much of a refund this year, but whatever there is will go toward bills. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/31 "2008-01-10T15:41:37Z")
We’re not sure at this point how much to expect back, but if it’s as sizable as last year we’re going to work on our back yard (retaining wall, patio, GRASS instead of mud!). ---
**Author:** ![zeno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zeno/32/15040_2.png) [@zeno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zeno)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/32 "2008-01-10T16:20:28Z")
I have an old 77 Honda motorcycle I want to get up and running. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/33 "2008-01-10T16:35:03Z")
Something wild and crazy; paying bills and the rest goes into my saving account. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/34 "2008-01-10T16:40:41Z")
I like to be pleasantly surprised by my refund. Last year it was $1600 and this year some online refund estimator told me over $3000 for federal alone. I’ll believe it when I see it! Whatever it is, it’s going right in to the “no interest until June 2008!” air conditioner fund and the rest to pay off credit cards. Whoooeeee!! ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/35 "2008-01-10T17:36:45Z")
I’m estimating about a $750 refund from some rough calculations I did. That’ll go toward paying for household stuff, likely paying off the new washer and dryer. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/36 "2008-01-10T17:42:51Z")
Paying off our debts as we work our debt snowball. We should be able to pay one of them off completely and put a huge dent in another. ---
**Author:** ![Maui\_Lion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@Maui\_Lion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maui_Lion)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/37 "2008-01-10T20:20:01Z")
I’m going to try and save as much of mine as possible. I’m trying to save up enough money to visit my boyfriend in October. Long-distance relationship and all. If only flying wasn’t so expensive. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/38 "2008-01-10T20:24:44Z")
This is the first year I’ve owned a house so I should be getting back a goodly chunk of change. I’m just gonna stick it in the bank 'cause I’m really worried that I’m gonna need some sort of emergency foundation repair or somehting equally expensive. ---
**Author:** ![rostfrei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7bcc69/32.png) [@rostfrei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rostfrei)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/39 "2008-01-10T21:10:27Z")
Last year, I got back 1400 bucks, and IIRC I put all but 300 bucks into my ING savings account. Probably will do the same thing this year and drink away the “fun” money at my local bar. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954/40 "2008-01-10T21:16:33Z")
If I calculated things correctly last year, we shouldn’t be getting any refund, nor should we be paying. That’s the way I like it - ending up within $100 of what we owe. We shall see how it works out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-plan-on-doing-with-your-tax-return/432954.md?page=3)