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Nearly half of Americans who receive a tax refund will save rather than spend it

February 19, 2014

Having a plethora of options for how to use their tax refunds, more Americans this year are opting to stash their cash away for a rainy day. According to NRF's Tax Returns Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, 46 percent of those expecting a refund this year will put their money into savings, up from 44 percent last year and the highest percent in the survey's history. Two-thirds (66.6 percent) of those surveyed are expecting a refund this year.

"Financial security is top-of-mind for all Americans, and refunds can play a huge role in helping achieve that," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. "Whether consumers use a refund to pay down debt, bulk up their savings, or buy that big-ticket item they've been saving for, a check from Uncle Sam, large or small, goes a long way these days."

As for other ways consumers will use their refunds, 37.7 percent will pay down debt, and one-quarter (25.3 percent) will use it towardeveryday expenses. One in 10 (10.7 percent) will treat themselves and invest in a major purchase, and 12.8 percent will spend their refunds on a vacation.

Young adults between 18 and 24 will make the most of what Uncle Sam gives back this year, with nearly six in 10 (57.7 percent) planning to contribute to their savings accounts, higher than any other age group. They are also the most likely to use their refunds for everyday expenses (34 percent) and to purchase a big ticket item such as a new television or piece of furniture (18.3 percent). Three in 10 (30.2 percent) will use their checks to pay down debt, second to last behind those 65 and older (27 percent).

"Young adults today are extremely smart about their money, and will look for ways to reap the benefits of their hard work that comes from their refunds," said Prosper's Consumer Insights Director Pam Goodfellow. "It's also likely that 18 to 24 year olds have learned from their parents the valuable lesson of saving for a rainy day, thanks in large part to the Great Recession and current economic conditions."

While many have already filed their taxes (22.7 percent), more than one-third (36.7 percent) will file in February, and another quarter (25.9 percent) will file in March. 14.7 percent will wait until the last minute and file in April.

The NRF 2014 Tax Returns survey, conducted for NRF by Prosper Insights & Analytics, was designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to tax returns. The poll of consumers was conducted from February 4-10, 2014. The consumer poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.2 percentage points.