So you're saying that if I would not apply for any tax-refunds I'm a winner? 
Although what you say might be true in certain cases, someone with some tax-knowledge (or with an accountant) generally manages to play the tax-system such that the net result is always positive.
In contrast, if you just wouldn't care about taxes and pay whatever you get taxed with...means you won't get you refund.
Ergo, if you state that "applying for tax-refunds = loaning money to the government"
we also have to deduct the following :
"Not applying for tax-refunds = giving the government your money permanently"
edit : in Holland specifically there are tons of regulations that you can 'exploit' to actually make a lot of money. I've gained more tax than I've paid in the past few years actually.
Although what you say might be true in certain cases, someone with some tax-knowledge (or with an accountant) generally manages to play the tax-system such that the net result is always positive.
In contrast, if you just wouldn't care about taxes and pay whatever you get taxed with...means you won't get you refund.
Ergo, if you state that "applying for tax-refunds = loaning money to the government"
we also have to deduct the following :
"Not applying for tax-refunds = giving the government your money permanently"
edit : in Holland specifically there are tons of regulations that you can 'exploit' to actually make a lot of money. I've gained more tax than I've paid in the past few years actually.