How to Maximize Your Tax Return and Keep More Cash in Your Pocket

Maximizing your tax return is about knowing which deductions and credits can help you get the biggest refund possible.

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Updated March 6, 2025
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Key takeaways

  • Your filing status can significantly affect the standard deduction and tax bracket for which you qualify.
  • You have until the filing deadline to contribute to your IRA or HSA and reduce your taxable income.
  • Certain credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and the American Opportunity Tax Credit, are paid as a refund if you don’t owe any money.

Want a larger refund when tax season rolls around? Everyone does. Credit Karma found that tax refunds are a lifeline for many Americans. 37% of taxpayers depend on their refund to make ends meet, and 47% plan to use it to pay down debt. If you fall into either of these categories, you’ll want to know how to get as much money back as possible. There are several ways to ensure you don’t leave any money on the table. 

Are you ready to learn how to maximize your tax return? Let’s get started!

How do tax refunds work?

A refund occurs when you’ve paid more taxes throughout the year than you owe. The main reason why you get a tax refund is that your employer withheld too much from your paycheck or you overestimated tax payments. You may also receive a refund if you qualify for certain credits or claim qualifying deductions that reduce your taxable income.

When you file your tax return, the IRS calculates your total tax liability based on your income, deductions, and credits. If the amount you’ve paid exceeds your bill, you’ll receive the difference as a refund.

What is the average tax return?

A tax return is a form filed with the IRS that reports your income, expenses, and other financial information. It calculates how much you owe in taxes and if you are due a refund.

Your refund depends on your income, deductions, and credits. In 2024, the average tax refund was $3,138, according to the IRS. What you receive can vary widely based on individual circumstances.

If you’re aiming for the highest tax refund possible, you’ll want to take advantage of deductions and credits.

How to get the most back on taxes

The maximum tax refund you can get depends on how much you’ve overpaid in taxes throughout the year. If your goal is to get as much money back as possible, the key is to know where to start.

Your first step is to determine your filing status. Once you’ve done that, you can figure out what deductions and credits you are eligible for. Let’s review this in detail, including how contributing to your retirement account can increase your refund.

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Check tax filing status

One of the top tax return tips is to ensure your filing status is correct. Your tax filing status determines your tax rate, standard deduction, and eligibility for certain credits, especially if you’re married. 

Choosing the correct filing status can increase your refund and reduce what you owe. The five main tax filing status options are Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household, and Qualifying Widow(er).

File separately or jointly

When you’re married, you can choose to file separately or jointly. Approximately 96% of married couples file jointly. Filing jointly almost always results in a lower tax rate and access to more credits. You can earn more and be taxed less since the income ranges are larger.

There are times when married filing separately may be the best choice. If one spouse has significant medical bills or business expenses, filing separately may allow for a larger deduction.

The answer to is it better to file separately or jointly can change yearly. Consider your financial situation and run the numbers before deciding.

Filing head of household

What is head of household filing status? It’s for single or unmarried taxpayers who financially support a dependent and maintain a home for them. The qualifying dependent can be a child who has lived with you for over six months or an elderly parent you support. You can claim head of household even if your parent does not live with you.

Filing as head of household can significantly reduce your tax bill and increase your refund. You’ll receive a higher standard deduction and lower tax rates than filing as single. For 2024, heads of household can claim a standard deduction of $21,900, while those filing as single can only claim $14,600.

Embrace tax deductions

Maximizing deductions is one of the best ways to lower your taxable income. But what does it mean to maximize deductions and credits? It means taking advantage of every tax break you qualify for, reducing the amount of income that gets taxed, and ultimately increasing your refund.

Deductions lower your taxable income and so reduce your taxes. You can either claim the standard deduction or itemize deductions for specific expenses. The standard deduction is a fixed amount set by the IRS and is much easier to claim as it does not require proof.

Itemized deductions take more work, but they can be worthwhile, especially if you’re a homeowner or have significant medical expenses. The best tax deductions for high earners include mortgage interest, property taxes up to a certain amount, charitable donations, and reinvested dividends.

Itemizing deductions only makes sense if your total deductions exceed the standard deduction. Take the time to do a little math to see if itemizing is worth the effort. If you are interested in itemizing, you’ll need to keep receipts and notes of all expenses.

Max out your IRA and HSA contributions

Contributing to your Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) is a smart way to lower your taxable income and build financial security.

Traditional IRAs let you contribute pre-tax dollars. You can then deduct the amount you put in that year from your taxable income. To claim the IRA tax deduction, open or contribute to your IRA before the tax filing deadline. Not only will you reduce the amount you owe, but you will help your retirement savings grow tax-deferred until withdrawal.

There are contribution limits. The IRA contribution limits for married couples are the same as for single people. Each person can contribute up to $7,000 annually, up to $8,000 if they are 50 or older.

Pre-tax contributions to HSAs also provide excellent benefits. If you have a high-deductible health plan that meets or exceeds the IRS’s required amounts, you can open and contribute to an HSA.

Individuals can contribute up to $4,150 and families up to $8,300 in 2024, with an extra $1,000 catch-up contribution if you’re 55 or older. You have until the filing deadline to contribute. Be cautious since making an excess contribution to HSA can result in a 6% penalty until the excess is withdrawn.

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Tax credit boosters

One of the best tax savings tips is to look for all available credits. Unlike deductions, which reduce taxable income, credits provide a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your tax bill. For example, a $200 credit means $200 off your taxes. You can claim credits whether you itemize or take the standard deduction.

A few important credits to keep in mind are:

The Earned Income Tax Credit is for low-to-moderate-income working individuals and families.  The amount of credit depends on your income, marital status, and number of children. For 2024, the maximum with no kids is $632; with three kids or more, it is $7,830. You can receive the credit as a refund if you don’t owe any taxes.

The Child Tax Credit gives you up to $2,000 per kid under 17. The exact amount you’ll receive depends on your income and the number of children you have. To qualify, you’ll have to earn under $400,000 if married filing jointly or under $200,000 for all other filers.

The Child and Dependent Care Credit helps offset the cost of care for children under 13, disabled dependents, or a spouse who cannot care for themselves. It covers expenses for daycare, babysitters, and day camps, offering a credit of up to 35% of eligible costs or up to $3,000.

The American Opportunity Tax Credit helps cover higher education expenses (tuition, books, fees, supplies, and equipment) for the first four years of college. It runs up to $2,500 per student. If the credit lowers your tax bill to zero, you can receive a refund of up to $1,000. 

The Lifetime Learning Credit is for undergraduate, graduate, and even non-degree courses at accredited institutions. Students can receive up to $2,000 to cover tuition, activity fees, books, supplies, and equipment. The exact amount depends on your income.

There are also credits for homeowners who make energy-saving improvements or people who buy electric vehicles. The Saver’s Credit is for people who contributed to a Roth IRA, 401(k), or 403(b) retirement plan. Always look into credits to lower your bill and get a bigger refund.

How to get a bigger tax refund with no dependents

The average tax refund for single no dependents varies based on income, deductions, and credits, but you can take steps to increase yours.

Start by contributing to a retirement account like an IRA or 401(k). If you have an HSA,  max out the contributions to reduce your tax bill. Check if you qualify for credits like the Saver’s Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit, which some single filers can claim.

Frequently asked questions

1. When preparing your taxes, what can help reduce the amount of taxes that you owe?

Deductions and credits help lower your tax bill. Contributing to retirement accounts, making charitable donations, and using credits can all reduce what you owe.

2. What are some examples of things your taxes pay for that you can use or benefit from now?

Your taxes fund essential public services like roads, public transportation, national parks, emergency services (police, fire departments, and EMS), and public libraries. They also contribute to programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and public education.

3. Can you claim head of household without a dependent?

No, to qualify for head of household status, you must have a qualifying dependent and pay more than half the household expenses. A dependent can be a child or elderly parent for whom you provide financial support.

4. How to get a $10,000 tax refund?

It is possible to receive a tax refund of over $10,000 via direct deposit if you qualify for multiple refundable credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. You will also need to have significant withholdings and high deductions.

5. Why are tax refunds so low this year?

Lower refunds can be due to changes in income, withholdings, and credits. Many gig workers and independent contractors do not realize they must pay estimated taxes throughout the year. Not paying can lead to a lower refund. Some credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, may be reduced if your income increases or you no longer qualify.

6. How long does it take to get a Michigan tax refund?

The Michigan Department of Treasury typically issues refunds within two to four weeks for e-filed returns and up to six to eight weeks for paper-filed returns. Processing times may be longer if additional verification is required. You can check your refund status using Michigan’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool online.

7. How many Americans receive a tax refund and what is the average dollar amount?

Each year, around 75% of Americans receive a tax refund. The average refund amount varies but is typically between $2,500 and $3,000. In 2024, it was $3,138.

8. Do you get a bigger tax refund if you make less money?

Lower-income earners often qualify for refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, which can increase refunds. Your refund depends on withholdings, deductions, and available credits. Making less money alone doesn’t guarantee a bigger refund, but qualifying for more tax breaks can increase the amount.

Bottom line

Do you get money back from taxes at the end of the year? The bottom line is that if you’ve overpaid, you will. You will also get a refund if you qualify for credits. Maximizing your tax return is about qualifying for credits and finding all eligible deductions.

Look into the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. Contribute to your IRA or HSA by the filing deadline. Decide if you want to itemize deductions or if the standard deduction will net you more.

Understanding basic tax strategies allows you to legally reduce tax liability and keep more cash in your pocket. Smart planning doesn’t just benefit you at tax time—it helps improve your financial future all year long.

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About the author

Rachel Alulis

Rachel Alulis has been the lead editor for Moneyfor’s credit cards team since 2015 and for the financial rewards team since 2023. Before joining Moneyfor, Rachel worked at USA Today and the Des Moines Register. She then established a successful freelance writing and editing business specializing in personal finance. Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an MBA.