Figure 4: How consumers use tax refunds

Share of consumers citing how they use the largest portion of their tax refunds, by financial lifestyle and socioeconomic group

Source: PYMNTS Intelligence, The Paycheck-to-Paycheck Report, February 2026. N = 1,387: Respondents who received a return last filing season, fielded Jan. 15, 2026, to Jan. 29, 2026, N = 912: Respondents who expect to receive a tax refund next time they file federal income taxes, fielded Jan. 15, 2026, to Jan. 29, 2026 Download image