Tax Refund Savings Strategies Cost Americans $1,335 in Lost Interest
NK
Noa Kingsley
crypto IRS ruling · Apr 16, 2026
Source: DojiDoji Data Terminal
A typical saver with a median account balance of $8,000 who deposits an average tax refund into a traditional savings account earns $165 in interest over three years. That same saver using a high-yield savings account or CD offering 3.50% APY earns more than $1,500. The difference is $1,335 in lost interest.
This gap exists despite a stated desire to save. A Santander Bank survey found that 76% of Americans say saving more is their top financial goal for 2026. Of those expecting a tax refund, 88% plan to save a portion of it.
Yet 58% of consumers plan to put these funds into checking accounts, traditional savings accounts or cash. Only 27% plan to use higher-yielding accounts. This preference for low-yield options is attributed to a lack of familiarity with these products following a low-interest rate environment from 2008 to 2022.
Choosing a traditional savings account over a high-yield option results in a $1,335 difference in interest earned over three years.
crypto IRS rulinghigh-yield savings rate
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