Maximize Your Refund

The average federal income tax refund is about $2,000. If you invest that money in an IRA with an 8% return for 30 years, you’ll earn more than $200,000, says USU professor Jean Lown. Or you could boost your emergency savings or pay down credit card debt. You might also adjust your withholding amount next year and set up an automatic investment plan. Why loan the government money interest-free?

For more information, contact Jean Lown, professor, Department of Family, Consumer and Human Development, College of Education and Human Services, Utah State University, 435-797-1569.