On-Demand: Turning Tax Season into Recovery Season

What collections leaders need to do differently this tax season to capture payment intent

Tax season represents one of the most critical — and time-sensitive — moments in the collections calendar. Consumers are more financially focused, refunds are top of mind, and intent to resolve outstanding debt spikes. In fact, a growing share of consumers, particularly Gen X, plan to use their tax refunds to pay down debt, creating a narrow but powerful window for collectors to act. 

In this roundtable discussion hosted by Mike Gibb, CEO of Accounts Recovery, leaders and successful customers from SBT unpack how top-performing receivables teams are rethinking tax season campaigns — moving beyond reminders and toward mobile-first payment experiences that convert intent into action. 

Why Tax Season Is a Receivables Opportunity (Not Just a Campaign) 

• • Refunds are rising — with analysts projecting record-breaking refund amounts and an estimated $91B in additional refunds entering the market   
  • 33% of consumers planning to receive a refund expect to use it to pay down debt, up significantly from 20% year prior   
  • Mobile-first expectations are non-negotiable — long portals, delayed callbacks, and disconnected payment flows lose momentum fast   

Tax season is when intent peaks. Your strategy determines whether that intent turns into payment.