Refunds are higher than last year but not as much as many taxpayers hoped.GettyThe IRS has released updated filing season data through March 27, 2026, offering a fresh look at how this year’s tax season is shaping up as the April 15 deadline approaches. So far, the numbers show filings still lagging behind last year, even as tax refunds are a bit higher.To date, the IRS has received 88,424,000 individual income tax returns, compared to 89,550,000 at the same point in 2025. That’s a 1.3% decrease in filings.Filing season data indicates that filing is dragging behind last year's numbers.Kelly Phillips Erb Processing totals tell a similar story. The IRS has processed 87,515,000 returns, down from 88,527,000 at this point last year—a 1.1% decrease.One key factor is that early filers tend to submit simpler returns—usually those claiming the standard deduction and reporting primarily wage income on Forms W-2. Returns that include business income, rental activity, or more complicated itemized deductions often come in later in the season. With about two weeks to go before the deadline, the IRS could still see a late push of more complex filings.How Taxpayers Are FilingThe IRS continues to encourage taxpayers to e-file, emphasizing that electronic filing is faster, more secure, and less error-prone than paper returns.So far this season, the IRS has received 86,871,000 e-filed returns, compared with 86,815,000 at the same point last year—an increase of 0.1%.Tax pros edge DIYers in numbers of returns submitted via e-file.Kelly Phillips Erb Of those e-filed returns, 45,854,000 were filed by tax professionals, down 1.1%, while 41,017,000 were self-prepared, up 1.4%. The split between professionally prepared and self-prepared returns remains relatively even.Those numbers show that DIY filing continues to hold steady this season, with a slight uptick in self-prepared returns as more taxpayers turn to software for straightforward filings. But for those with more complex situations—such as business income, multiple income streams, or significant deductions—working with a tax professional can help avoid costly errors and ensure all available tax breaks are properly claimed.IRS.gov Web VisitsIf filing activity has been slightly slower, taxpayer curiosity clearly hasn’t.Traffic to IRS.gov continues to surge this season. The website has logged 408,346,000 visits, compared with 260,026,000 at the same point last year—a 57.0% increase. Spikes in visits to irs.gov suggest that taxpayers are looking for refund information.Kelly Phillips ErbThat spike likely reflects taxpayers searching for answers about refund timing, new tax rules, and filing changes affecting 2025 tax returns. For refund updates, the IRS continues to point taxpayers to the “Where’s My Refund?” tool. The tracker provides three key updates:Confirmation that the IRS received the returnNotice that the refund has been approvedThe projected date the refund will be issued Refund status information is typically available within 24 hours of e-filing, three to four days after the IRS receives a prior-year e-filed return, or about four weeks after mailing a paper return. The tool updates once per day—usually overnight—so checking repeatedly during the day won’t speed things up or produce new information.Tax RefundsWhile filing numbers are down slightly, refund dollars are moving in the opposite direction. The IRS has issued 62,957,000 refunds so far this season, up 2.2% from last year, totaling $221.697 billion—a 13.6% increase. The average refund has climbed to $3,521, up 11.1% from 2025 (but down from last week’s $3,571 and well below the season high average of $3,804 as of February 20). Refund amounts are higher than last year, but still lower than many expectations.Kelly Phillips ErbDirect deposit refunds show even stronger growth. The IRS has issued 63,488,000 direct deposit refunds, up 7.3%, totaling $222.962 billion—a 16.5% increase year over year. The average direct deposit refund is $3,512, up 8.5%.Some increases were expected, but early results have left some taxpayers and practitioners underwhelmed. Congress and the White House had pointed to The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) as a driver of significantly larger refunds—potentially $1,000 or more on average. So far, the data points to a more modest outcome.Some taxpayers have also complained about filing delays. For most taxpayers, the fastest way to receive a refund is still to file electronically and choose direct deposit, with the IRS generally issuing refunds within about 21 days for those returns. Paper filings, by contrast, can take six to eight weeks or longer.At the same time, many taxpayers are experiencing delays tied not to processing, but to how refunds are delivered. If direct deposit information is missing or rejected, the IRS may now freeze the refund and require taxpayers to update their banking details before releasing the funds—a shift from prior years, when a paper check was often issued automatically. Lawmakers say hundreds of thousands of taxpayers have already received notices about direct deposit issues, with more expected. What’s Behind Those Tax Refund Numbers?OBBBA, which was signed into law in mid-2025, expanded several tax benefits, including a higher standard deduction, larger child tax credits, and new deductions tied to overtime and tip income, continues to shape this year’s results. The bill was retroactive to the start of 2025, but withholding tables were not updated during the year.To help taxpayers prepare for 2026, the IRS has updated its Tax Withholding Estimator, a free tool that helps estimate how much federal income tax to withhold from paychecks. In addition to no tax on tips and overtime, the calculator factors in other OBBBA-related provisions, including changes to car loan interest and expanded deductions for seniors. According to the IRS, it also more accurately reflects updates related to family credits, homeownership, and charitable giving.2026 Tax Filing Season With the April 15 deadline approaching, the filing season is entering the stretch when millions of taxpayers traditionally wait until the last minute to file. For the latest tax season information (including tax refund information), check out our Forbes Tax Guide.ForbesWhen Will Your Tax Refund Arrive? What To Know This Tax Filing SeasonBy Kelly Phillips ErbForbesForbes Last Minute Tax Guide: How To Navigate The Changes On Your 2025 ReturnBy Kelly Phillips Erb