The average IRS tax refund is running 11% higher than it was at the same point a year ago, according to the latest IRS filing-season data reported by CNBC. For millions of households that count on that check to cover bills, savings, or debt, an 11% jump is a meaningful change.
The figure comes from the IRS’s own filing statistics, which the agency updates as returns are processed during the season. CNBC drew on that data to report the year-over-year increase in the average refund amount.
What does an 11% higher IRS tax refund actually mean?
An 11% increase describes the change in the average refund compared with the same stage of the prior filing season. It does not mean every taxpayer will see their own refund rise by that amount. Averages move for several reasons, and an individual refund depends on that person’s income, withholding, credits, and deductions.
The raw data reported by CNBC centers on the percentage change. The exact dollar figures behind that average were not specified in the material available for this article, so we won’t guess at them.
Calculate Your 2026 COLA Increase →Why is the average refund higher this year?
Refund averages shift year to year because of changes in tax law, inflation adjustments to brackets and standard deductions, and how much tax people had withheld from their paychecks. When withholding outpaces the actual tax owed, the difference comes back as a refund.
- Inflation adjustments: The IRS adjusts tax brackets and the standard deduction each year, which can lower tax owed and raise refunds.
- Withholding: If more was withheld from wages than needed, refunds grow.
- Credits: Refundable credits, such as those tied to income and family size, can push refunds up.
The specific driver behind this year’s 11% increase was not detailed in the source material, however, so treat these as the general reasons averages move rather than a confirmed explanation.
When will I get my IRS refund?
The IRS generally issues most refunds within 21 days of accepting an electronically filed return, provided there are no errors or additional reviews. Filing electronically and choosing direct deposit is the fastest route. Paper returns take longer to process.
Because timing depends on your individual return, the best way to know your status is to check directly with the IRS rather than rely on an average.
How do I check my refund status?
You can track your money using the IRS’s free tools. To do that:
- Use “Where’s My Refund?”: Available at IRS.gov, it shows your status once your return is accepted.
- Have your details ready: You’ll typically need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.
- Check the IRS2Go app: The mobile version offers the same refund tracking.
The IRS updates the tool once a day, so checking repeatedly within the same day won’t show new information.
Should I read too much into the 11% figure?
A higher average refund can feel like good news, but a large refund is essentially money you overpaid during the year and lent to the government interest-free. Some taxpayers prefer to adjust their withholding so they keep more in each paycheck instead of waiting for a lump sum. Others value the forced savings that a refund provides.
Either way, the 11% increase reported by CNBC reflects a broad trend in the IRS’s filing data, not a promise about any single taxpayer’s outcome. If your own refund is smaller or larger than you expected, the reason usually lies in your specific withholding, income, and credits for the year.
For official numbers and to check your own refund, go straight to the IRS at IRS.gov, which publishes filing-season statistics and hosts the refund-tracking tools.
