Average tax refund up nearly 11% from a year ago, IRS data shows

Fresh data from the IRS shows that Americans' average tax refunds in the 2026 filing season have risen significantly from last year as the filing deadline approaches.

IRS data through March 20 showed that the average tax refund amount has risen to $3,571 in the 2026 filing season to date, an increase of $350 or 10.9% from the $3,221 average refund at this stage of the filing season in 2025.

The total amount refunded to taxpayers by the IRS through March 20 was more than $202 billion...