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What to Do with Your Tax Refund: 5 Smart Moves for Canadians

  Tax Season · Personal Finance By MoneySavings.ca Editorial Team • May 7, 2026 • 7 min read Tax season is wrapping up across Canada, and for millions of Canadians, that means a refund cheque — or a direct deposit — is on its way. The average Canadian tax refund hovers around $1,800. That's real money. The question is: what's the smartest thing you can do with it? It's tempting to treat a tax refund like "found money" and splurge. But here's the truth — that refund was your money all along. The government was just holding it for you, interest-free. So before it quietly disappears into day-to-day spending, let's look at five moves that will make it work harder for you. $1,800 The average Canadian tax refund — enough to make a meaningful dent in debt, pad an emergency fund, or kick-start your TFSA for the year. 1 Pay Down High-Interest Debt First If you're carrying a balance on a credit card, this should be your very first call. Most Canadian credit car...

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Steps to Improve Your Credit Score


 Improving your credit score requires a combination of responsible financial habits and diligent monitoring of your credit report.

1. Pay your bills on time, as timely payments account for a significant portion of your credit score. 

2. Reduce your credit card balances and try to maintain a low credit utilization ratio, as high credit card debt relative to your credit limit can negatively impact your score. 

3. Avoid opening too many new credit accounts at once, as multiple inquiries within a short period can signal increased risk to lenders. 

4. Regularly review your credit report for errors and dispute any inaccuracies you find.

5. Demonstrate a mix of credit types, such as a combination of credit cards, loans, and installment accounts, to showcase your ability to handle diverse financial responsibilities. 

Consistently following these practices will gradually boost your credit score over time.


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