Refund too high?

Big refund this year? You're not alone. Taxpayers received an average refund of $3,003 last year - up 5% from the average refund of $2,859 taxpayers received in 2009.

The jump was the biggest in years thanks to several tax benefits as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

• First-Time Homebuyer
• American Opportunity Credit
• Earned Income Tax Credit increases
• Increase in eligibility for the Child Tax Credit

Take steps now to receive some of that money throughout the year. Submit a new Form W-4 to your employer or a Form W-4P to your pension administrator. If you're eligible for Earned Income Credit, submitting a Form W-5 to your employer will allow to receive the credit throughout the year.

You can use IRS Pub. 919 and IRS Withholding Calculator for additional assistance in calculating your tax withholding.