'Americans Are Eager for a New Year's Reset.' Nearly Half of Adults' Finances Worsened in 2025 But Tax Season May Offer a Lifeline, Survey Says

Core Insights - Nearly half of U.S. adults experienced financial difficulties in 2025, primarily due to unexpected expenses and decreased credit scores, according to an Intuit Credit Karma survey [1] - The upcoming tax season is expected to provide relief for struggling homeowners, with many filers anticipating increased refunds or lower balances due, potentially by as much as $1,000 [2][3] Financial Hardships - The most common reasons for financial struggles included unexpected expenses, decreased credit scores, missed payments on mortgages and credit cards, and inability to afford necessities like groceries [1] - 38% of respondents identified not saving enough money as their top financial regret over the past year [5] Tax Refund Expectations - Many filers are eager to submit their tax returns early to receive refunds sooner, with a little less than half planning to do so [3][4] - Tax expert Lisa Greene-Lewis noted that for many households, tax refunds represent the largest check they will receive all year [4] Financial Goals and Regrets - Approximately two-thirds of survey respondents have set clear financial goals for 2026 and aim to change their spending habits [5] - Common financial regrets include impulse purchases (34%), not saving money (33%), and overspending on non-essentials (31%) [7][8][9]