It's hard to not get excited about receiving a tax refund.
For many Americans, that annual check from Uncle Sam offers a rare opportunity to better their financial footing, and fewer adults these days want to blow it on an excursion or new iPhone.
On average, taxpayers expect to receive $3,030 back from the IRS, according to a recent report by GoBankingRates.
And after a slow start, the average refund is now up to $3,143 for the week ending Feb. 22, according to the IRS. That's just about on par with last year's figures, despite the recent downward trend of smaller checks.
Of those who expect to receive money back from the government, the majority of those polled plan to pay down debt, GoBankingRates found.
