I've always wondering what percentage of people even realize that if my taxable income is the same as your taxable income, and we filed the same (single, married, etc.) then basically our tax paid will end up being the same amount. (Yes - I realize a few things can change that number on the tax form, but on this forum I assume everyone knows what I mean.)
So if our tax paid is $3,000 you can pay in $3,500 and get a $500 refund, you can pay in $5,000 and get a $1,500 refund, or you can pay in $3,000 and get $0 refund, but either way, it all ends up with $3,000 paid in taxes.
The reason I bring it up is people always talk about taxes, as if getting a refund was just good luck, or having to pay in was just bad luck. My mother always asks if I got a big refund, and when I say no she seems so disappointed for me because she got a big refund and is really excited. I have tried numerous times to explain that it's because I adjust my withholdings so I don't get a refund. I still pay the same amount of tax though. And I always get that same confused look and so I just quit talking.