How to Get a Bigger Tax Refund Next Year

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- So, you got your refund check and feel more than a little disappointed with this year's kickback.

In theory, it isn't a good thing to receive a big check because that just means the government was handing back the money you loaned it all year -- interest-free. But let's admit it: You'd prefer the bigger check, right?

If you think of a refund check as forced savings, then you might be inspired to save more on next year's return, says Neil Johnson, a tax expert and blogger in Chicago. MainStreet tapped Johnson and other 1040 experts for advice on plumping up your kickback next year.

Whether you choose to save the money is up to you, but either way, you'll be happy to have it.

Uncle Sam offers countless tax breaks and credits that apply to all sorts of situations, whether you're in a young family just starting out, or a single divorced parent.

Here are a few useful tax deductions and credits:

You're Supporting Kids (or Parents)

Has your college grad returned home or are you supporting an elderly parent? There's a tax credit for that.

"The Child and Dependent Care Credit can apply to a relative you're taking care of, like if your sister came to live with you," says Kay Bell, a blogger and tax reporter for Bankrate.com.

But as the IRS states on its website, "the care must have been provided so you and your spouse could work -- or look for work," and it only covers up to $3,000 of annual expenses for an individual, or $6,000 for two or more people.

If you meet the requirements, "the beauty of credits is that once you get your taxable amount, then your credits are dollar for dollar," says Bell. So if you owe Uncle Sam $6,000 and receive a $3,000 credit, for example, your tax burden will be cut in half come April 15. Deductions, on the other hand, reduce the amount of taxable income.