CNet – “A tax return and a tax refund. They sound similar and sometimes go together, but they’re not the same. And this year, there are more nuances than ever, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and stimulus checks. So what’s the difference between the two and what are the biggest changes you need to know about? Tax season is just weeks away, but it’s not too early to get your tax information prepared to send off to the IRS next month — the agency won’t begin accepting returns until Feb. 12. If you’re one of the many people filing their taxes as soon as possible in order to get their refund quicker (and for millions of Americans this year, their missing stimulus checks and a possible third check), we applaud you.  We’ll explain the details of each term below and everything you need to know about how tax refunds are different this year and how to find out if you’re getting one. Also, once you file your tax return, here’s how you can track the status of your refund…”