 TITLE: What Is a Tax Refund? CONTENT: How to Use Your Tax Refund Money\n--------------------------------\nA tax refund is 100% your money and you are free to use it in any way you choose. That said, you may want to be intentional about using your tax refund money. It's your chance to pay down debt, launch an emergency fund, save for your retirement or even invest in yourself. If the past year has brought financial challenges your way, the lump sum you receive as a tax refund can help you recover.\nIf you just can't wait to receive your tax refund, some tax preparation services and tax preparation software companies may allow you to borrow against it with little or no interest and fees. You may not be able to borrow the entire amount you expect to be refunded—and you should always read the fine print—but this may be a viable option if you need the money as soon as possible.\nGetting a tax refund is certainly something to look forward to, even if preparing your taxes and waiting for your money can seem a little bit like work. And if you've survived the sometimes confusing financial year that was 2020 without owing additional money to the government, you deserve extra kudos. END