Generation Y were most likely to head to the shops with their new found cash.
The older generations were more likely to keep their cash in hand, with only 27 per cent of 60 to 69-year-olds spending their refund.
Almost two thirds of Wellingtonians indulged with the new addition to their bank balance -- the highest portion of any city dwellers.
Cantabrians and Otago residents were least likely to treat their refund as a bonus.
Meanwhile, forty per cent of Kiwis actively saved their refund when it came in.
Men were more likely to save their refund, with 43 per cent putting it into a safe place, compared to 37 per cent of women.
Almost 80 per cent of New Zealanders applied for a tax refund every year; 62 per cent of whom regularly received a tax refund.
However, many people didn't understand the process, with 44 per cent of Kiwis not realising what qualified them for a refund.
Yet many Kiwis shopped around before deciding who to apply for a tax refund through.
Value for money was the most important decision factor. Ease of application and quality of advice were also considered.
Tax refund habits by region
•Aucklanders are least likely to have a tax refund agent that takes a small percentage of their refund as a service fee (61 per cent), and most likely to save their tax refund money (47 per cent).
•Waikato residents are least likely (equal with Otago) to have shopped around before choosing their tax refund provider (32 per cent).
•Bay of Plenty residents are most likely (equal with Otago ) to regularly receive a tax refund when they apply for one (66 per cent); most likely to apply for a tax refund every year (85 per cent); least likely to not understand what it is that qualifies them for a tax refund (26 per cent), and most likely to have shopped around before choosing their tax refund provider (40 per cent).
•Wellingtonians are most likely to spend their tax refund on a treat for themselves/treat it as a bonus (59 per cent).
•Cantabrians are least likely to regularly receive a tax refund when they apply for one (57 per cent); most likely to have a tax refund agent that takes a small percentage of their refund as a service fee (70 per cent); least likely (equal with Otago) to spend their tax refund on a treat for themselves/treat it as a bonus (40 per cent), and most likely to not understand what it is that qualifies them for a refund (50 per cent).
•Otago residents are most likely (equal with Bay of Plenty) to regularly receive a tax refund when they apply for one (66 per cent), least likely to apply for a tax refund every year (75 per cent); least likely (equal with Canterbury) to spend their tax refund on a treat for themselves/treat it as a bonus (40 per cent); least likely to save their tax refund money (34 per cent) and least likely (equal with Waikato) to have shopped around before choosing a tax refund provider (32 per cent).
Source: Canstar Blue
