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Could This Be The Smartest Way to Use Your IRS Refund This Year? (Not a Shopping Spree)

The average IRS refund this year? Just over $2,800. It’s tempting to splurge; to book the trip or buy the gadget, but smart investors see it differently. That refund isn’t a free gift—it’s your own money. And right now, it’s an opportunity- the smartest way to use your IRS refund could shape your financial future.

This article covers:

The 2025 tax refund landscape.
Why most people spend—not invest—their refunds.
The power of turning a windfall into a wealth-building strategy.
Why collector cars are outperforming traditional assets.
How MCQ Markets makes it easy to get started investing.

The 2025 Refund Snapshot

The IRS has issued over $230 billion in tax refunds for 2025, with the average check at $2,852. But according to Bankrate, most Americans plan to spend their refund on daily expenses, debt payments, or pleasure-driven purchases. Less than 10% say they’ll invest with it.
That’s a missed opportunity.

Refunds Are Rare—and Powerful

A tax refund is just a lump sum of money you overpaid throughout the year. But because it shows up all at once, it creates a rare “windfall moment ” a chance to think differently and make a meaningful financial move.

Spend it on a vacation, and it’s gone. Purchase a depreciating asset, and you’ll lose value the moment you swipe your card. But invest it in something real, something that holds and grows in value, and you’re building for the future.

Why Collector Cars?

In a world of market swings and meme stocks, collector cars stand out for their scarcity, cultural significance, and historical appreciation. Over the past decade, they’ve outperformed real estate, government bonds, and the S&P 500 itself.
With fractional shares through MCQ Markets, you can own a piece of investment-grade vehicles—Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches—for as little as $20. No million-dollar garage required.

The Smartest Way To Use Your IRS Refund : Don’t Spend It—Build It

Your IRS refund isn’t just a one-time perk, it’s a chance to reset your financial strategy. Don’t blow it on stuff that fades. Invest it in assets that hold their value and tell a story. Collector cars aren’t just cool. They’re smart.
With MCQ Markets, your refund could be the key to something lasting. Start building today.

The 2025 Refund Picture

As of May 2025, the IRS has processed over 100 million tax returns and issued more than $230 billion in refunds. The average refund is holding steady at around $2,852, a slight increase over last year as inflation adjustments lift tax brackets and credits.

But what are people doing with that money?

According to a Bankrate survey, more than half of Americans plan to spend their refund on everyday expenses, debt payments, or pleasure-driven purchases. Only about 10% say they plan to invest their return. And that’s where the real opportunity lies.

Refunds Are Rare—And Powerful

A tax refund isn’t free money; it’s money you overpaid the government throughout the year. But because it comes in a lump sum, it has psychological power. Behavioral economists call this a “windfall effect”—you’re more likely to take action with a lump sum than with slow-drip savings.
That makes your refund an ideal moment to begin investing, especially in assets that aren’t tied to stock market swings.
Let’s say you take $2,800 and spend it on a trip. That’s great for memories, but now the money’s gone. Spend it on depreciating goods, and you’re left with less value tomorrow than today.
But put that $2,800 into alternative assets? You could be tapping into something much bigger.

The Case for Alternative Assets in 2025

The traditional 60/40 portfolio (stocks and bonds) is losing its edge. High interest rates, inflation, and volatile tech stocks have made many investors rethink what diversification really means. As noted by Morgan Stanley, more institutional investors are shifting into alternatives—including private equity, real estate, and collectible assets.

And retail investors are following suit.

One asset class gaining particular traction: investment-grade collector cars. According to the Knight Frank Wealth Report, collector cars appreciated by 185% over the past 10 years, outperforming both real estate and the S&P 500.

Why Collector Cars? Scarcity, Story, and Stability

Unlike traditional assets, collector cars are tangible and their value comes from scarcity, cultural cachet, and provenance. They’re not just machines. They’re rolling pieces of history, each with a unique story that affects its value. Many are one of only a few hundred ever created, often with unique specifications and for short periods.
Unlike meme stocks or crypto, these automobiles aren’t driven by hype or hashtags. Their value tends to hold—even rise—when the economy stumbles. That’s why many investors are turning to them as a hedge against inflation and market swings.

“But I Don’t Have Millions to Buy a Ferrari”

That’s exactly where MCQ Markets comes in.

At MCQ, we make it possible to own fractional shares of iconic collector cars for as little as $20. Think Lamborghini Diablo. Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series. Porsche Carrera GT. These aren’t daily drivers, they’re curated, investment-grade assets with performance history and cultural value.

Your tax refund might not buy you a Ferrari—but it could buy you exposure to one.

By using your IRS refund to enter this market, you’re not just buying a piece of metal, you’re stepping into a strategy used by the ultra-wealthy for decades. And now, it’s a strategy accessible to anyone.

Conclusion: Turn a Refund Into a Foundation

In 2025, a refund check isn’t just a financial breather. It’s an opportunity to take control of your future. Skip the gadgets, the splurges, and the one-off indulgences. Use it to build something.

Because the best use of a tax refund? It’s not retail therapy. It’s financial strategy.