The average IRS tax refund came in 11.3% higher than a year earlier, according to filing data through Tax Day reported by CNBC. That jump means many taxpayers who filed and claimed a refund walked away with noticeably more money than the same group did the prior season.
The figure comes straight from IRS filing statistics, which the agency releases as the season progresses. CNBC analyzed that data and highlighted the double-digit percentage increase in the average refund amount.
Why did the average tax refund go up 11.3%?
The IRS reports refund totals and averages based on returns processed up to a given date. A higher average can reflect several things at once: changes to withholding, adjustments to tax brackets and the standard deduction for inflation, and the mix of returns filed early versus late in the season.
Because refund figures shift as more returns are processed, the average reported through Tax Day is a snapshot rather than a final number. CNBC’s report is based on the IRS data available at that point in the filing season.
Calculate Your 2026 COLA Increase →What does an 11.3% higher refund actually mean for me?
A larger average refund does not mean everyone paid less tax. A refund happens when you overpay during the year through paycheck withholding or estimated payments, and the IRS returns the difference after you file.
- A bigger refund can mean you overwithheld: more was taken from your paychecks than your final tax bill required.
- Inflation adjustments matter: higher standard deductions and adjusted brackets can reduce the tax owed on the same income, increasing what comes back.
- Your result may differ: the 11.3% figure is an average across processed returns, not a promise about any single taxpayer’s refund.
So, if your income and withholding were similar to the prior year, you may have seen a modestly larger refund. But someone whose income rose sharply or who changed their withholding could see a very different outcome.
How can I check my own IRS refund status?
The IRS runs an online tool that lets filers track where their refund stands after they submit a return. To use it, you generally need your Social Security number or taxpayer ID, your filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.
- Gather your details: Social Security number or ITIN, filing status, and the exact expected refund.
- Use the IRS
