Your Refund Your Future
Published February 6, 2026
Quick Summary
Tax season can be an opportunity to strengthen your financial future instead of seeing your tax refund disappear into everyday spending. Due to recent tax law changes, many Americans are receiving larger-than-expected tax refunds this year. This article explains how using your tax refund to save can create early-year financial stability and reduce stress later in the year. In this blog, we will highlight the different ways you can save your tax refund. Highlighting a traditional savings account to a more specific way to save such as a Christmas club account that is designed to help members plan for holiday expenses. By saving first, members can turn their refund into long-term peace of mind.
Key Points
- Recent tax law changes may result in larger tax refunds for many households
- Tax refunds are a powerful opportunity to build savings early in the year
- Saving Account s provide a secure, flexible place to deposit your refund
- More Specifically, A Christmas Club Savings Account helps members save automatically for holiday expenses
Your Refund, Your Future: Smart Ways to Save at Tax Time
Tax season can bring surprises, especially this year.
Following recent changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), many Americans are seeing larger-than-expected tax refunds. While individual income taxes were reduced overall, IRS withholding tables weren’t immediately adjusted. As a result, many taxpayers paid more throughout the year and are now receiving the benefit all at once.
According to private sector analysis, these changes could result in up to $100 billion in higher refunds in 2026, with average refunds increasing by $300 to $1,000 compared to a typical year. For many households, that refund can feel like extra money, but it can also be a powerful opportunity.
Before your refund disappears into everyday spending, consider what it could do for your future.
Turn Your Refund into a Fresh Financial Start
Tax season is one of the best times of the year to reset, refocus, and strengthen your savings. That’s why Neighborhood Credit Union encourages members to think of tax time as Tax Time to Save, a simple way to turn a refund into lasting financial confidence.
Before You Spend Your Refund. Save It.
We all know that feeling when your tax refund hits your account. The little voice that says, “Go ahead, treat yourself.” Maybe it’s the new golf clubs you’ve been eyeing or the phone upgrade you finally qualify for. Depending on your refund, those things might still be within reach. Before you spend it all, consider starting with yourself first. Putting some or even all of your refund into a savings account gives you a strong, stress-free foundation for the year ahead. It’s a simple move that can make a big difference.
Why save your refund with us?
- A convenient place to park your money while you plan your next step
- Safe, local, and trusted for over 95 years
- Helps you build financial stability early in the year
Whether you’re building an emergency fund, getting ready for upcoming expenses, or just giving yourself a little breathing room, saving first puts you in control without taking away your options.
Explore our Savings Accounts, your future self will thank you.
Plan for Specific Goals: Christmas Without the Stress
You’ve had a full year. Busy schedules, meaningful moments with family and friends, trips to remember, and milestones worth celebrating and somehow, the seasons always seem to fly by. Before you know it, the holidays arrive. Along with the extra expenses that come with them. While Christmas may still feel far off, planning now can make the season feel lighter later. A Christmas Club Savings account is a simple, stress-free way to save throughout the year so you’re ready when the holidays roll around:
- Automatic savings that grow steadily over time
- Funds available right when holiday spending begins
- No temptation to dip into your savings early
Using part of your tax refund to start—or add to—your Christmas Club Savings Account means fewer financial surprises and more room to enjoy what really matters when the holidays arrive. A little planning now can turn holiday stress into holiday cheer.
One Smart Refund. Two Strong Moves.
Many members choose to split their refund, putting some into regular savings for flexibility and some into a Christmas Club Savings Account for focused holiday planning. It’s a simple way to balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s peace of mind.
This tax season, make your refund work harder for you. Save with confidence. Plan with purpose. Start the year off strong.
Apply online in under 10 minutes, or if you’d like additional help feel free to contact our member service team.
Thank you for trusting us with your financial future.
Dalton is a Marketing Communications Specialist at Neighborhood Credit Union since 2026.
Who We Are
As an active part of the community for 95 years, Neighborhood Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial organization serving the state of Texas with branch locations in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Grayson, Kaufman and Tarrant counties. With assets topping $1 billion, Neighborhood Credit Union has a continuously growing membership of nearly 70,000. For more information, call (214) 748-9393 or visit our homepage.