How Kayak’s tax refund trip calculator can score you a dream vacation

Input your tax refund amount on Kayak's calculator, and receive a range of flight options that fit within your budget.
woman in yellow shirt doing her taxes for story on Kayak's tax refund calculator


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Unless you’re like me and filed an extension, you may be wondering what to do with that sweet refund from the IRS. According to the IRS, the average tax refund amount for 2023 is $2,910—plenty dough to plan a fun vacation. To help travelers make the most of their tax refunds, Kayak has introduced a handy tool called the Tax Refund Trip Calculator for the second year in a row.

Exploring destinations on a budget

Here at DFC, we love finding all the tools and hacks that make planning and traveling as seamless and enjoyable as possible, so Kayak’s Tax Refund Trip Calculator has us giddy with excitement. The calculator allows travelers to input their tax refund amount and provides them with a range of flight options that fit within their budget. 

Customizing travel preferences

The tool features a user-friendly map that displays destinations and prices, making it easy to explore options. Travelers can choose from various types of trips, such as city getaways, beach vacations, family trips, romantic getaways, or outdoor adventures. Users can also narrow down their search by selecting a date range and indicating whether they are open to stopovers. 

Flexibility for better deals

If you’re flexible with your dates, skip the filters and opt for the bigger picture—literally. The handy map provides users an overview of all the available destinations, along with their prices. For instance, it might be in your best interest to skip peak summer in Europe and instead opt for shoulder season in mid- to late-September, when you can fly on a budget and still enjoy the warm temperatures of the season.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone. This post contains references to products from one or more of our partners and we may receive compensation when you click on links to those products.

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