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2026 Filing season statistics — individual income tax returns
Cumulative statistics comparing Feb. 21, 2025, and Feb. 20, 2026.
| Return/Refund category | 2025 | 2026 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total returns received | 42,707,000 | 41,892,000 | -1.9 |
| Total returns processed | 42,396,000 | 41,362,000 | -2.4 |
| Total e-filing returns received (may not equal subtotals due to rounding) | 41,896,000 | 41,377,000 | -1.2 |
| E-filing returns received from tax professionals | 18,335,000 | 17,795,000 | -2.9 |
| E-filing returns received from self-prepared | 23,561,000 | 23,582,000 | 0.1 |
| Web usage, IRS.gov visits | 167,087,000 | 244,503,000 | 46.3 |
| Total number of refunds | 29,615,000 | 28,738,000 | -3.0 |
| Total amount refunded | $102.253 billion | $109.329 billion | 6.9 |
| Average refund amount | $3,453 | $3,804 | 10.2 |
| Total number of direct deposit refunds | 29,173,000 | 29,099,000 | -0.3 |
| Total amount refunded with direct deposit | $102.238 billion | $110.825 billion | 8.4 |
| Average direct deposit refund amount | $3,505 | $3,809 | 8.7 |
[1] Total refunds issued represents refunds for returns received and processed in 2026 – current year returns only. The number of direct deposit refunds represents refunds for current and prior year returns processed in 2026.