A tax refund is typically the largest and most reliable windfall many Americans receive annually.

Others intend to sock it away, with 12% planning to start an emergency fund.

While theaverage tax refundthis year so far is $3,221, everyone’s tax situation is different.

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There’s no guarantee you’ll get this amount.

So what if you don’t get the big refund you were counting on this year?

Consider these alternative ways to make up for the shortfall.

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Read more:Tax Refund?

I Can Afford a Carton of Eggs With Mine

1.

In fact, you might amend returns up to three years old.

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Thebest budgeting appscan make it easier to track.

You might be able to:

3.

The kind of debt you use impacts how easy it’ll be for you to manage it going forward.

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A few to consider:

4.

One popular option is the debt snowball method.

Then roll those extra funds into your payment for the next lowest-balance debt, and so on.

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This method lets you see the quickest wins to gain momentum and simplify your bills.

Fund financial goals in smaller increments

A windfall to boost your savings would look great on your balance sheet.

But you could still make progress.

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One easy way to start saving more is by automating it.

Consider setting up ahigh-yield savings accountto help you grow an emergency fund faster.

TurboTax

TurboTax

TurboTax

H&R Block

H&R Block

H&R Block

FreeTaxUSA

FreeTaxUSA

FreeTaxUSA

Cash App Taxes

Cash App Taxes

Cash App Taxes

TaxSlayer

TaxSlayer

TaxSlayer

TaxAct

TaxAct

TaxAct

Jackson Hewitt

Jackson Hewitt

Jackson Hewitt

TurboTax

H&R Block

FreeTaxUSA

Cash App Taxes

TaxSlayer

TaxAct

Jackson Hewitt