The average tax refund for the 2026 filing season is higher than it was last year, even though fewer people are filing early. According to recent IRS data, the average refund is now $3,676, compared to $3,324 in 2025. This is a 10.6% increase from last year.  

CPA Practice Advisor reports that at the same time, the total number of tax returns received and processed has dropped slightly. Filings are down by 1.2% and processing is down by 1.4%. Even so, the IRS has already sent out about $160.8 billion in refunds this season, which is 10.9% more than the $145 billion sent out at this time last year. Since the number of refunds is about the same, the overall increase comes from larger refund amounts, not more people filing.  

One reason for the higher refund amounts is the timing of certain credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit. By law, these refunds cannot be sent out until mid-February. When these payments begin, average refund amounts usually go up before settling down later in the season.  

Recent changes in tax laws are also causing refunds to be larger, as new rules affect deductions and taxable income. The IRS expects average refund amounts to level off as more people file before the April 15 deadline.