Getting a big tax refund is generally not an optimal financial strategy, as it means you have provided the government with an interest-free loan of your own money throughout the year. Ideally, you want to adjust your tax withholdings to be as close to a nil balance (breaking even) as possible at tax time.
Does a Large Refund Trigger an Audit? Not necessarily. But if the refund is a result of fraudulent claims, such as inaccurately reporting income or claiming deductions you're not actually eligible for, then it can trigger an IRS audit.
How do tax refunds work in Australia? Over 14 million people lodge a tax return each year in Australia. Of those who receive a refund (approximately two-thirds), self-preparers received an average of $2,576 in 2022, while tax agent clients received an average of $3,550.
Many are wondering if the Income Tax Department delays processing refunds if the refund amount is large, such as over Rs 50,000. According to income tax rules, there is no upper limit on refunds. Whether your refund is Rs 10,000 or Rs 1 lakh or even greater, it will be credited the same way.
How to avoid paying higher-rate tax
Yes, $80k is a good salary in Australia, placing you above the national median, but its value depends heavily on your location and lifestyle, offering a comfortable life in regional areas or less expensive cities (Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide) but requiring careful budgeting in Sydney or Melbourne due to high rent. It's above the average full-time earnings but will feel tighter in expensive cities, especially if supporting a family or wanting significant savings, say Reddit users.
It boils down to this: If you're getting a sizable refund just about every year, and you're having federal taxes held out of your pay, then you're probably having too much held out for federal taxes. So, when you get a big refund, you're just getting your own money back.
How to maximize tax return: 4 ways to increase your tax refund
In cases of erroneous claim for refund or credit, a penalty amount is 20 percent of the excessive amount claimed.
10 Ways to Maximise Your Tax Refund
A $75k salary in Australia is decent, above the median income for many age groups and allowing for comfortable living in regional areas, but it can be tight in expensive cities like Sydney or Melbourne, especially for families, with many feeling $100k is needed for stability, though it's a strong starting point for younger professionals. After tax, $75k becomes roughly $58.6k ($4,888/month), meaning lifestyle, location, and financial goals (like saving for a house) heavily influence whether it's considered "good".
You can't claim a deduction for the cost of buying or maintaining watches or timepieces, even if you require one as part of your job. This is a private expense. However, you can claim a deduction if your watch has special characteristics that you use for a work-related purpose.
Audit rates are generally highest for high-income taxpayers, taxpayers with business income, large corporations, and earned income tax credit claimants. In its annual data books, the IRS presents audit rates for tax returns filed for each year over the previous decade.
Not reporting all of your income is an easy-to-avoid red flag that can lead to an audit. Taking excessive business tax deductions and mixing business and personal expenses can lead to an audit. The IRS mostly audits tax returns of those earning more than $200,000 and corporations with more than $10 million in assets.
Top IRS audit triggers
Avoid These Common Tax Mistakes
For example, if you have earned $100,000 for the financial year and you have $30,000 of tax withheld on your group certificate, you will receive $5,000 as a tax return!
Large Refund = Missed Opportunity (No interest earned on overpayment) Owing Small Amount = Better Cash Flow (You kept more of your money throughout the year) Small Refund = Financial Safety Net (No unexpected balance to pay for, helps cover tax obligations and keeps IRS payment plans in good standing)
There's no cap on the amount of refund you can receive, and refunds above ₹50,000 are normal and legal. Just ensure that your TDS and income declarations match and that your return is filed accurately and verified on time.
The $600 rule says that any business that pays you more than $600 is required to file a 1099 with the IRS and give you a copy. Tax law says that you have to report all of your income on your tax return even if you never get a 1099.
Employer Issues That Can Reduce Your Tax Refund
Check your most recent payslip to see how much is taken out of your pay each week. Your tax refund is calculated based on the total amount of tax you paid during the year, versus how much tax you should have paid, based on your total yearly income.
The average Australian full-time worker is now earning more than $2000 a week for the first time in history. New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show the average ordinary full-time weekly earnings for adults hit $2011.40 before tax in May.
Most Americans Earn Far Less Than $100k
According to last year's YouGov data, only 18% of U.S. adults earn more than $100,000 annually. And the biggest earners are mostly men—25%—and those aged 35 to 44—25%. For comparison, just 12% of women make six figures.
Yearly / Monthly / Weekly / Hourly Converter
If you make $90,000 per year, your salary per hour is $45. 55.