Average tax refund rises 11%; total filings decline

The average direct-deposit tax refund amount is up 11% this year compared with the same span in 2025, the IRS said in a release.

The average refund was $2,290 as of Feb. 6, 2026, up from $2,065 as of Feb. 7, 2025. Tax cuts enacted in H.R. 1, P.L. 119-21, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, are driving the higher amounts, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Among the cuts that the center cites are a larger standard deduction, an expanded senior deduction, an auto loan interest deduction, and deductions for overtime and tips.

The total number of refunds received so far in 2026 is 7,403,000, compared with 8,054,000 at this point in 2025, a drop of 8.1%.

The IRS had received 22,351,000 tax returns as of Feb. 6, compared with 23,589,000 at the same point last year, a decrease of 5.2%. The figures show the percentage of returns processed dropped at a higher rate, however. In the first two weeks of 2025, the IRS had processed 23,515,000 returns, compared with 20,623,000 in 2026, a decrease of 12.3%.

Both the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the national taxpayer advocate warned in separate reports last month that the 25% cut in the IRS workforce combined with changes caused by H.R. 1 mean the Service may struggle to maintain service levels between now and April 15, possibly causing delays in tax refunds and in getting answers on the phone.

This year’s filing season opened Jan. 26, and the 2025 season opened Jan. 27.

Under the law, tax returns claiming either the earned income tax credit or the additional child tax credit must be held until Feb. 15.

— To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Martha Waggoner at Martha.Waggoner@aicpa-cima.com.