This is bad advice all the way around.

>Meaning your refund is paid to you over 12 months instead of Feb-Apr the year after.

No, it means you won't overpay and therefore won't get a refund.

Also, if you DO rely on your refund to pay credit cards, you have poor money management skills and are better off not cutting off the refund. It's an interest-free savings plan, but at least you're saving it, even if it's forced. You'll still run up the same credit card debt because you refuse to live within your means, but now have no windfall to pay off the debt.