The average IRS tax refund is running 11.2% higher, according to the latest IRS filing-season data reported by CNBC. For millions of households, that shift points to a bigger check coming back from the federal government than in the comparable stretch of the prior year.
The figure comes from IRS filing statistics, which the agency publishes as returns are processed each season. CNBC highlighted the 11.2% jump in the average refund as one of the standout numbers in that data.
Why is the average IRS tax refund higher this year?
The available reporting confirms the size of the increase but does not break down every cause behind it. Refund averages move for several ordinary reasons, and the reported material does not attribute the change to any single factor.
Common drivers of a higher average refund include annual inflation adjustments to tax brackets and the standard deduction, changes in withholding, and shifts in which taxpayers have filed so far. Because early-season filers often differ from later ones, an average measured mid-season can look different from the final figure once all returns are in.
Calculate Your 2026 COLA Increase →For the specific reasons behind this year’s 11.2% rise, CNBC’s report is the primary source. The underlying numbers trace back to the IRS’s own filing-season statistics.
How much bigger is the average refund?
The headline number from the IRS data, as reported by CNBC, is straightforward:
- Average refund change: up 11.2% compared with the same point a year earlier.
The material provided here does not include the exact dollar amount of the average refund, the total number of returns processed, or the total dollars paid out. Those precise figures appear in the full IRS statistics and in CNBC’s coverage rather than in the summary available for this article.
So, if your own tax situation is similar to last year’s, a higher average across all filers does not guarantee your personal refund rose by the same percentage. Your refund depends on your income, withholding, credits, and deductions, not on the national average.
When will I get my IRS tax refund?
The reported data covers the average size of refunds, not a universal payment date. The IRS issues refunds on a rolling basis as it processes each return.
As a general rule the IRS has published in past seasons, most refunds for electronically filed returns with direct deposit arrive within about 21 days, provided there are no errors or additional review. Paper returns and returns flagged for review take longer. The material here does not state a different timeline for this season.
How can I check my refund status?
The IRS runs a free tracking tool for filers who want to know where their money is. To check your own refund rather than relying on the national average:
- Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool: available at irs.gov, updated once per day.
- Have your details ready: your Social Security number or ITIN, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.
- Check the IRS2Go app: the agency’s official mobile app offers the same status information.
These are the IRS’s own channels. For questions about the broader trend in refund averages, CNBC’s report on the IRS filing data is the source that put the 11.2% increase in the spotlight.
What should filers take from this data?
A rising average refund is worth understanding for what it is: a snapshot of aggregate IRS data at one point in the filing season, not a promise about any individual check. Because averages shift as more returns come in, the final season-end figure may land above or below the 11.2% reported so far.
If you have not yet filed, the practical takeaways stay the same. File accurately, choose direct deposit for the fastest turnaround, and double-check credits you may qualify for, since credits often make the difference in how large a refund ends up being. For the full breakdown of the numbers behind the trend, the IRS filing statistics and CNBC’s reporting remain the places to look.
