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'What's your sign?" is not a question you expect to hear from your accountant, yet according to a recent survey by Money Management International (MMI), tax time can be very different for consumers born under different sun signs.
For example, the 2007 MMI survey (at www.saveorspend .com/Utility/SurveyResults .aspx) found that Libras expecting a refund plan to receive an average refund of $2,200, while Aries are expecting a significant $800 less.
So if you are among the 70 million Americans who start the day by reading their horoscope, you may want to look to the stars for insight on your financial future --particularly as tax day approaches.
Read on for some of MMI's sign-specific findings.
• Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20): Idealistic Pisces are the least likely to save. In fact, of all those who plan to save, less than 5 percent are Pisces.
• Aries (March 21-April 20): Those born under this Fire sign expect the smallest refunds ($1,400). They plan to save (46 percent) or pay debts (32 percent).
• Taurus (April 21-May 21): Taurus is an Earth sign, associated with practicality. Those born under this sign are the least likely to expect a refund. Of consumers who do expect a refund, only 6 percent were born under this sign.
• Gemini (May 22-June 21): Generally known to be logical, Gemini are the most likely to over-withhold on purpose.
• Cancer (June 22-July 23): Protective Cancers are not likely to splurge with their refunds. Of those consumers who do plan to splurge, less than 1 percent were born under this Water sign.
• Leo (July 24-Aug. 23): Generous Leos are more likely than those born under other signs to spend their refunds. Of those who plan to splurge, nearly 20 percent are Leos.
• Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23): Practical Virgos are still deciding how to spend their expected tax refunds. In fact, more Virgos than those born under any other sign were "undecided" about what to do with their refunds (14 percent).
• Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 23): Known for balance, Libras, surprisingly, expect the largest refunds (an average of $2,200).
• Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22): Scorpios are characterized as being passionate. Of those who plan to splurge with their tax refund, one out of four is a Scorpio.
• Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21): Sagittarians are known for being optimistic and are not likely to save their refunds. In fact, of those who do plan to save, only 5 percent were born under this sign.
• Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20): Earth signs like Capricorn are associated with practicality. Appropriately, Capricorns are not likely to splurge with their refunds. In fact, of those who plan to splurge, less than 1 percent are Capricorns.
• Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 19): Aquarius is an Air sign, associated with thought and perspective. Fifty-eight percent of surveyed Aquarians expecting a refund plan to use it to pay down debts.
Regardless of your astrological sign, it's important to have a personal finance strategy that works for your individual needs.
Speaking of signs, don't forget to sign your tax return -- forgetting to sign is on the IRS's list of most common mistakes.
Visit SaveorSpend.com for more helpful tax time tips.
• Tommye White is the director of counseling for the Consumer Credit Counseling Service, a division of Money Management International. To schedule an appointment with the local CCCS branch, call 1-800-873-2227.
