As you know, taxes are due today. So, whether you owe money or are getting some of your hardworking dollars back it's time for a tax break...literally.
CARS
Upgrade your tires. New tires can make a measurable improvement in your car's performance and safety. When looking for new tires, focus on tires that do well in our tests for braking, handling, and resistance to hydroplaning.
Find a GPS navigator. You can get many of the same functions that the infotainment systems in new cars have buy picking up a portable GPS navigator. Basic units priced at $125 from Garmin, Magellan, and TomTom provide helpful turn-by-turn directions. For a bit more, you get free traffic information. At the high end, you'll find devices that add features such as a trip computer, Bluetooth capability, an MP3 player, and an FM transmitter.
ELECTRONICS
Start streaming. The brand-new Roku 3 streaming media player ($100) features an enhanced user interface for finding content to watch, a motion-sensing remote with a built-in headphone jack, and a fast, powerful processor. Roku's earlier models had a lot to offer, including a wide selection of services and apps.
Take a bite of a new Apple. The 27-inch Apple iMac ($2,050) delivers excellent overall performance. Among other noteworthy features are a really thin stunning display, the latest Intel Core i5 processor, and a generous terabyte of storage. The built-in speakers are only so-so, so invest in a pair of headphones and/or external speakers. Check our buying guide and Ratings for computers.
Snap away. The Canon EOS Rebel T4i ($850) belongs in every camera maven's gear bag. This digital SLR has an excellent image stabilizer, quick startup time, a touch-screen swiveling LCD, and it can fire off five shots a second. It's also smaller and lighter than some hgher-priced SLRs. And, most important, it takes very good photos! Check our buying guide and Ratings for cameras.
HOME
Paint your interior. Use Clark+Kensington finishes, high-scoring paints that cost only $32 a gallon. Create the right mood with top-rated LEDs, especially now that they're coming down in price and some are about $15.
Update your landscape. Pruning an overgrown landscape with a selective removal of plants can make a yard feel more organized, and clear the way for new plantings. Perennials tend to be less expensive than annuals and fill the yard with seasonal color and blooms. Read more about reducing the size of your lawn—and your yard work.
Get a new refrigerator. If you love seltzer and your current fridge is on the fritz, you might consider putting your tax refund toward the Samsung RF31FMESBSR French-door refrigerator, which has a built-in SodaStream sparkling-water-dispenser. Check our refrigerator buying guide and Ratings.
PERSONAL FINANCE Contribute to an IRA. You'll get a tax break in addition to tax-deferred investment growth. Contributions made before April 15 can count toward either tax-year 2012 or 2013. (If you didn't account for the contribution in your 2012 return, you'll have to file an amended return.)
If you're not eligible for a traditional IRA, you might qualify for an after-tax Roth IRA. There's no deduction, but the money grows tax-free and can be withdrawn tax-free after age 591/2.
HEALTH
Go for a ride. For about $1,000 you'll get a good cycle-cross, which combines the knobby tires of an off-road bike with the turned-down handlebars of a road bike. Want something different? Consider the EllitiGo 3C ($1,800). You pedal while standing up, using the same elliptical motion of the indoor exercisers. And don't forget to invest in a good helmet. Our top-rated Specialized Echelon costs $60.
Cook more healthfully. Restock your kitchen with new cookware. Our top-rated nonstick set, Swiss Diamond, costs about $500. You'll also want some high-quality knives for prep work. A high-scoring set of J.A. Henckels costs about $300; a very good Ginsu Chikara set runs less than $100,
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