Clayton County Extension and Outreach Media for April 23rd
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Clayton County ISU Extension & Outreach Media Packet for 4/23/26
April 30
6:00PM Produce Basics Child Care Provider Training Online
7:00PM Spring 4-H Leader Meeting Elkader, IA
May 2
9:00AM Market Sheep & Goat Weigh-In Garnavillo
May 11
12:30PM Garden Q&A Live - May Online
May 13
7:30PM Clayton County Extension Council Meeting Elkader
Why a Big Tax Refund in 2026 May Not Be as Smart as It Feels
As some Iowans welcome large tax refunds this spring, financial experts say a big payout in 2026 may not be the financial win it seems.
A tax refund typically means a household paid more in taxes throughout the year than they owed. According to the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan tax policy nonprofit, economists often describe the practice as giving the federal government an interest free loan — money that could have been used month to month for savings, debt payments or daily expenses instead.
“People like seeing a big refund check, but it usually means they had less money in their paychecks all year,” said Carol Huneycutt Ehlers, a health and human sciences educator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Ehlers, who also is an Accredited Financial Counselor, encourages taxpayers to review their withholding and aim for a more accurate balance.
The hidden cost of over withholding
When too much tax is withheld from employee’s paychecks, households lose access to their own money for months. In a higher interest rate environment, that can mean missed opportunities to earn interest, reduce high cost debt, or increase contributions to savings or retirement accounts.
“For families carrying credit card balances or other high interest loans, over withholding can actually make managing finances harder, not easier,” Ehlers said.
In addition, reduced take home pay can strain household budgets, sometimes forcing families to rely on borrowing for routine expenses.
Refunds and spending behavior
Large refunds may also influence how money is spent. As reported by Forbes, behavioral economics research shows many taxpayers treat refunds as extra or windfall money, making them more likely to spend it on discretionary purchases rather than long term goals like debt reduction or savings.
Inflation further reduces the real value of refunds. Money withheld earlier in the year typically buys less by the time it is returned, lowering its overall purchasing power, noted LegalClarity.org, a source for legal news, analysis and insights.
When bigger refunds can make sense
Larger refunds can still serve a purpose for some households, Ehlers said. People with irregular income or those who struggle to save may view over withholding as a form of forced savings.
In addition, some refunds are driven by refundable tax credits—such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit. These credits can result in refunds larger than the amount paid in during the year, particularly for low and-moderate income households, the Tax Foundation and LegalClarity.org have reported.
A shift toward balance
Financial advisors generally recommend aiming for a smaller refund or a modest balance due at filing time. This approach allows households to keep more of their earnings throughout the year while reducing surprises in April.
Education can make a difference. During the 2024 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance tax season, a Clay County client adjusted withholding after filing and reported better control of tax payments the following year.
“Being able to offer education along with tax preparation has been one of the most rewarding parts of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance VITA program,” said Michele Hogrefe, Iowa State University adult program coordinator and VITA volunteer with ISU Extension and Outreach Clay County.
Free financial consultation available
A large refund may feel rewarding, but it is not free money. It reflects a timing issue—money earned during the year but returned months later.
“The goal isn’t a big refund,” Ehlers said. “It’s better cash flow and more control of your money year round.”
ISU Extension and Outreach offers free financial education consultation to help Iowans make informed decisions throughout the year. Contact the Iowa Concern Hotline (call or text 800-447-1985) to receive guidance on understanding tax refunds, adjusting tax withholding through Form W 4 or planning ahead to avoid overpaying taxes.
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A Sure Sign of Spring: Growing and Caring for Daffodils in Iowa
April 15, 2026 |
AMES, Iowa – Few plants announce the arrival of spring in Iowa as reliably as daffodils. These hardy bulbs in the genus Narcissus light up landscapes with cheerful blooms and return year after year with little maintenance, making them a favorite among home gardeners.
“Daffodils are one of the easiest bulbs gardeners can grow in Iowa,” said Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “They’re long-lived, dependable and largely resistant to pests like deer and rabbits, which makes them a great addition in the landscape.”
Explore daffodil types
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While many people picture the classic yellow trumpet daffodil, the group includes thousands of cultivars with considerable diversity. Daffodils can vary in flower size, petal shape, corona (cup) size and shape and color, with flowers ranging from white to yellow to orange, sometimes combined in a single bloom.
Plant daffodils in the best garden locations
In the home garden, daffodils perform best in well-drained soil and locations that receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. They are especially effective when planted in clusters or drifts in perennial beds, along walkways or beneath deciduous trees, where they bloom before trees leaf out.
“Plant them amongst ornamental grasses, hosta, daylily and other perennials that will grow up later in the season and hide the foliage of the bulbs as it yellows,” Steil said.
Care for daffodils properly after bloom
Spring care is straightforward. Daffodils usually need little supplemental water, and gardeners can remove spent blooms after flowering. However, foliage should remain until it yellows and dies back naturally.
“That green foliage is critical,” Steil explained. “It feeds the bulb so it can store energy and bloom again next spring.”
Use daffodils as long-lasting cut flowers
Daffodils also make good cut flowers. Harvest stems when buds show color but are not fully open, and keep them separate from other flowers because their sap can shorten the vase life of the other flowers in the vase. Once blooms have spent several hours on their own, the water can be discarded and replaced, and the blooms won’t impact the longevity of the other flowers.
Divide and transplant daffodils to keep them thriving
When clumps become crowded, bulbs can be dug and divided after foliage dies back in early summer. Be sure to mark the location so they can be found later in the season. Replant immediately or store and plant in the fall.
“With minimal care, daffodils reward gardeners with decades of spring color,” Steil said.
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Additional Stories Published Online
The following news releases have been published on the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach website.
Why a Big Tax Refund in 2026 May Not Be as Smart as It FeelsPublished: April 20, 2026
As some Iowans welcome large tax refunds this spring, financial experts say a big payout in 2026 may not be the financial win it seems. Carol Huneycutt Ehlers, an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach educator and Accredited Financial Counselor, encourages taxpayers to review their withholding and aim for a more accurate balance.
Published: April 21, 2026
Through campus and regional specialists and staff in 100 county extension offices, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach carries out the university’s land-grant mission of discovery, learning and engagement. Extension connects Iowans with opportunities to innovate, including youth engaging in hands-on AI education, food entrepreneurs trying a mobile processing cart and farmers examining livestock tech in the field.