First off, the know-it-alls who just have to criticise those who get tax refunds (in lieu of current paltry bank returns) could discourage such people from even wanting to participate in this thread.

That said, I get tax money back each year and I envy the original poster for being able to use a portion of his refund to buy a pinball machine. It takes all of my federal and state refunds plus all of my annual bonus from work (there is no bonus unless the company makes a profit for that year) plus some funds out of savings just to pay my annual real estate taxes.