IRS Tax Refunds Are Bigger This Year

The IRS has started giving out tax refunds for this year. The average amount people are getting back is much higher than last year. This could help families with their money.
By Newsroom | Taxes, United States |

A significant rise in the average tax refund amount has been observed in the initial weeks of the current tax filing season, according to data released by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This uptick suggests that taxpayers are, on average, receiving a larger sum back than during the corresponding period last year. While overall filing activity appears to be pacing similarly to the previous year, the increased refund amounts present a key trend for households managing their finances.

Early IRS data indicates a substantial increase in the average tax refund amount compared to last year's early filing period.

Average IRS Tax Refund Jumps to $2,290, Up Nearly 11 Percent From Last Year - 1

Tax Filing Season Underway

The IRS has commenced the processing of tax returns for the current filing season. Data emerging from the agency highlights a trend of larger average refunds being issued to taxpayers.

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  • Filing activity is reportedly tracking close to last year’s pace, suggesting no drastic shift in the number of taxpayers submitting their returns early.

  • The timing of these refunds can influence how households manage their early-year expenses.

Increase in Refund Amounts

Recent IRS statistics show a clear increase in the average tax refund.

Average IRS Tax Refund Jumps to $2,290, Up Nearly 11 Percent From Last Year - 2

  • Article 1 reports that the average refund has jumped to $2,290, an increase of nearly 11 percent from the same point last year.

  • Article 2 corroborates this, stating the average refund is up 10.9% so far this season, based on early IRS filing data.

  • Article 4 notes that while the tax season started off somewhat sluggishly in terms of processed returns, the average dollar amount of refunds issued is indeed up.

  • Article 5 from March 2025 also indicated that Americans' tax refunds were larger than the previous year during the initial month of the filing season.

Factors Influencing Refunds

Experts point to several factors that determine the size of a tax refund. Generally, a refund is issued when a taxpayer has overpaid their tax liability throughout the year through withholdings from paychecks or estimated tax payments.

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  • The ultimate amount of a refund, or any balance owed, depends on the specific tax breaks an individual qualifies for and the total amount of taxes paid during the year.

  • It is important to note that the reported figures typically reflect current-year returns only.

Comparison with Previous Year's Data

While the most recent data shows a notable increase, a prior report from October 28, 2025 (Article 3) indicated a much smaller increase.

Average IRS Tax Refund Jumps to $2,290, Up Nearly 11 Percent From Last Year - 3

  • This earlier report stated that the average tax refund amount had increased by nearly 2% compared to mid-October of the previous year.

  • More than 102 million Americans had received their refunds by that date, with the average filer getting back about 1.6% more than the year prior.

This discrepancy between the October 2025 report and the February 2026 data warrants further examination to understand the contributing factors to the more substantial increase observed in the current early filing season.

Tax Credits and Refund Holds

Certain tax credits can affect the timing of when refunds are issued. The PATH Act, for instance, requires the IRS to hold refunds for tax returns that claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until a specific date.

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Average IRS Tax Refund Jumps to $2,290, Up Nearly 11 Percent From Last Year - 4

  • This provision aims to prevent fraudulent claims for these credits.

  • Consequently, the initial weeks of the filing season may see fewer refunds issued overall, especially for taxpayers claiming these specific credits.

Conclusion

The early data from the IRS tax filing season presents a clear trend: the average tax refund is significantly higher than in the initial period of the previous year. While filing volume appears consistent, the increased refund amounts represent a material shift. Further analysis of later-season data will be crucial to confirm if this trend persists and to understand the underlying economic and legislative factors contributing to this development.

The average tax refund has seen a significant increase, nearing 11% in the early stages of the current tax filing season, reaching approximately $2,290.

Sources Used:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are tax refunds bigger this year?
Yes, the average tax refund is almost 11% bigger than last year. It is now about $2,290.
Q: Is the IRS getting more tax returns?
The number of tax returns being sent in seems about the same as last year. But the amounts people are getting back are higher.
Q: Why are refunds bigger?
Refunds happen when you pay too much tax during the year. The amount you get back depends on your personal tax breaks and how much tax you paid.
Q: When will I get my refund if I claim certain credits?
If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit, your refund might be held a bit longer. This is to help stop fraud.