The average tax refund is 11.1% higher so far this season, compared with about the same period in 2025, according to the latest IRS filing data.
As of April 3, the average refund amount for individual filers was $3,462, up from $3,116 about one year ago, the IRS reported on Friday.
The IRS data reflects about 99.8 million individual returns received, out of about 164 million expected through the April 15 deadline.
Many filers have seen bigger tax refunds this season due to the 2025 changes enacted via President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill.”
With higher refunds on average, Republicans have pointed to Trump’s signature policies, such as new deductions for tip income, overtime earnings, seniors and auto loan interest. But rising gasoline prices amid the Iran war have threatened to offset that windfall, according to some analysts.
