A new survey reveals how Americans really feel about tax season and the unusual tactics some use in pursuit of a larger refund.
The research, commissioned by tax software provider TaxAct, polled 1,000 adults across the U.S. and uncovered a mix of anxiety, confusion, and some questionable claims. While many taxpayers are trying to navigate the process responsibly, others admit to stretching the rules in unexpected ways.
Tax time worries and common missteps
Nearly half of respondents said they wait until the final weeks of tax season to file their returns. For many, that delay is rooted in fear of making mistakes. Over a quarter of participants said filing incorrectly was their top concern, while others admitted they don’t fully understand the tax filing process.
The confusion often leads to misreporting. Fourteen percent of those surveyed confessed to not filing income from side jobs, while nine percent said they failed to report winnings from gambling or the lottery. Uncertainty is also a major issue: many filers said they were unsure whether they would owe money or receive a refund, and some feared being hit with an unexpectedly large bill.
Survey participants also identified not getting the maximum refund as a major worry. Some said they try to improve their tax outcomes through charitable donations, adjustments to their filing status, or increasing contributions to retirement accounts.
Some respondents go to great lengths to get their money back. Ten percent of respondents said they’ve claimed unusual business expenses to reduce their taxable income. In some cases, these included listing a dog as a home security system. One filer even attempted to claim their pet hamster as a dependent.
Meanwhile, some taxpayers are unknowingly missing out on legitimate deductions. A portion of respondents admitted they didn’t know student loan interest was deductible and failed to include it.
How Americans spend their refunds
For those expecting money back, most said they plan to use their refund responsibly. Common uses included paying off bills, saving for the future, or reducing debt.
That said, not all refund spending is practical. A handful of survey participants shared splurge purchases ranging from a raincoat for a cat to a giant inflatable unicorn, showing that tax season relief can sometimes go hand in hand with impulse buys.