And typically lower-paid people have higher deductions on their taxes (versus withholdings) and usually get the larger refunds. So much so that they basically depend on it. That's why everyone is in such shock right now. Meanwhile, I've never been one to get a large refund at tax time. And I've always planned for my big annual expenses upfront (sometimes using an automatic bank account transfer to "incrementally save" for them).

You choose how much is withheld. There is no versus. But I'm afraid the vast majority do not realize this and accept the default.

Achtoooly... If you qualify for EIC or child tax credits you can't necessarily withhold low enough to avoid a refund.