"For some context, I wanna buy a house at some point in my life."
This doesn't directly relate to refunds, but it reminds me of how before I bought my first home I thought there was something complicated about it. But it's all about saving money in a savings account until you have enough for a good down payment. I was 22 when I first thought about it. It seemed like forever, but you can save money over time, and it builds up faster than you think because you occasionally get bonuses, OT, odd side jobs, raises, etc.
If you're getting a big refund, you can update your W-4 form and increase the number of exemptions so they take less money out of your paycheck and you don't have to ask for it back in the form of a refund.
It's odd how felt like there was some complicated theory behind buying a house at age 22. It's just saving money, finding any opportunities to make extra money to save, and watching for a bargain on a house.
