A new study from LLC.org has found that tax refund anticipation is particularly pronounced in southern states, many of which have the lowest median household incomes in the U.S.
According to an analysis of Google searches for tax refund-related terms, Mississippi tops the list with 52,696 searches per 100,000 residents, indicating a significant level of anticipation among its population.
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Mississippi is also considered the poorest state in the U.S., with a median household income of $44,966, the lowest of any state, and has a poverty rate of 18.8%, the highest of any state, according to World Population Review.
Following Mississippi are Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana, where residents demonstrate a similar eagerness to know when their refunds will arrive.
According to LLC.org, the top 10 most impatient states for tax refunds in 2025 are:
- Mississippi (52,696 searches per 100,000 residents)
- Georgia (48,123 searches per 100,000 residents)
- Alabama (44,906 searches per 100,000 residents)
- Louisiana (42,144 searches per 100,000 residents)
- Tennessee (40,561 searches per 100,000 residents)
- Arkansas (36,646 searches per 100,000 residents)
- Indiana (35,933 searches per 100,000 residents)
- Texas (32,312 searches per 100,000 residents)
- Ohio (31,960 searches per 100,000 residents)
- South Carolina (31,623 searches per 100,000 residents)
In addition to Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, and South Carolina are among the 10 states with the lowest median household incomes in the U.S.
“The anticipation of tax refunds often reflects broader economic concerns. For many individuals, these refunds are a crucial financial boost to cover everyday expenses, debt repayment, or emergency savings,” Sam Taylor, a business expert at LLC.org, said in a statement. “The high search volumes in these states suggest that residents are particularly attuned to their financial situations and rely on refunds as a form of financial relief.”
Taylor advises taxpayers to approach refunds strategically:
- Plan ahead: Instead of relying on refunds as a safety net, work toward creating a budget that reduces dependence on these payouts.
- File early: Avoid delays by filing returns early and ensuring accuracy to prevent IRS processing issues.
- Use refunds wisely: Whether paying off high-interest debt or building an emergency fund, allocating refunds to financial priorities can yield long-term benefits.
“States like Mississippi and Georgia demonstrate how significant a tax refund can be for household finances,” Taylor said. “It’s a reminder of the importance of financial literacy and planning to reduce dependence on annual windfalls.”
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