Ask yourself a question during this tax time. Would you rather have a lump sum of $2,600 or a monthly payment of $216 a year?

If you're one of the 46.5 million consumers who is receiving an income tax refund this year, that's the choice you have as the average refund is about $2,637.

It might be a good time to review your withholding allowances to make sure that the proper amount is taken out of each paycheck.

Most of us love to get that check in the mail from Uncle Sam, but the reality is you are giving the government a tax free loan for a year because it's your money.

This is especially important if you are one of those who lives paycheck to paycheck and could use the extra cash each pay period.

The goal is to have your withholding match your actual tax liability.

The remedy is simple. On the Web, go to www.irs.gov and type in "withholding calculator" in the search box. This will take you to a W-4 worksheet, but the calculator is easier and more accurate.

You can use the results to compete your W-4 before submitting it to your employer. You especially need to do this if you've had some life changes such as marriage, divorce or the birth of a child.

You can catch the latest Money Matters every Wednesday on Good Morning Kansas.