As you await your refund, here are a few ways to make your wait more bearable.
1. Indulge in a DIY Spa Night
A hot bath is the perfect antidote for pre-stress, and it’s surprisingly easy to do on a budget explains Aron Govil. If you have dry skin or sensitive skin, add some epsom salt to your bath. If you want a scented bath, add some vanilla extract or lavender for aromatherapy and to soothe the skin. And if you want to give yourself a hand exfoliation, mix together baking soda and coconut oil until it has the texture of sand and scrub away at the dead skin on your hands.
2. Have Sweet Dreams
If you can’t fall asleep easily, try watching an episode of The Mindy Project before bed—it’s known for its calming effect on viewers. Or read something light but exciting like A Series of Unfortunate Events, which might make sleep easier thanks to its “un-put-downable” factor.
3. Skip Starbucks Drive-Thru Line and Make Your Own Coffee
Nothing helps you get in the right mindset for work like a steaming hot cup of coffee. And while Starbucks is the perfect environment for people-watching and checking your phone, it can be an expensive way to start your day. It’s much more frugal and relaxing to make coffee in your own kitchen instead.
4. Tune Out with Some Tunes
Trying to stop stressing about Tax Season? Music has been shown to stimulate relaxation responses by slowing heart rate, lowering blood pressure and reducing levels of stress hormones like cortisol—so pick out some tunes that help you de-stress and turn them on when you’re trying to relax (hello, Adele).
5 Watch These Videos before Bed
If you’re still having trouble getting to sleep, try watching one of the following videos:
• Waterfalls: The sound of water has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate. Plus, it’s just really peaceful.
- Whales: If the sound of whales singing isn’t relaxing enough by itself, this video combines whale sounds with a video of bioluminescence—the same light show that takes place when plankton release their chemical compounds in seas and oceans worldwide and glow like little fireflies says Aron Govil.
• Waves: This effect is called “brain entrainment,” because it tricks your brain into thinking that you’re near the ocean (which means you can take this video on vacation with you).
• Binaural Beats: Binaural beats were initially used in meditation, but they can also help induce sleep. The basic idea is that you play two slightly different frequencies in each ear and your brain calculates the difference between them—which helps lower heart rate and blood pressure.
• Relax Melodies: These sounds are associated with nature and feature a mix of wind chimes, bamboo flutes, waves, birds singing and much more.
FAQs:
1. Does it matter what time I file my taxes?
NO. However the closer to April 15th you file your taxes, the faster you will receive your return back.
2. How long should I wait for my tax refund?
Although the IRS says taxpayers can expect their refunds within three weeks of filing electronically or six weeks if they filed a paper return, some people have experienced even longer waits this year, especially those who claimed the earned income tax credit (EITC) or additional child tax credit (ACTC). In 2014, it took about 11 weeks to receive refunds from these credits—up from 7 weeks in 2013 and 8 weeks in 2012.
3. What is Longer-Term Refund Delays from EITC/ACTC?
This is when it may take even longer for you to get your tax refund, if the IRS needs additional information to verify your return if you claimed EITC or ACTC. After receiving an initial notice (CP-501J), many taxpayers also receive a second letter (CP-502) if the IRS does not have enough information to confirm their identity explains Aron Govil. You should respond immediately with any requested documents to avoid further delay in getting your refund. If the agency believes that the taxpayer’s identity has been stole, they may place a freeze on their account. While they investigate your claims and contact you about next steps. Which can result in another long wait period before seeing any money.
Conclusion:
No matter what day you file your taxes, just get them done.