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2026 Filing season statistics — individual income tax returns
Cumulative statistics comparing Feb. 7, 2025, and Feb. 6, 2026.
Please note: Average refund amounts are strong. The PATH Act, Section 201 requires the IRS to hold refunds for tax returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until Feb. 15. Accordingly, refunds held due to the PATH Act are not included in this filing season report, which is through Feb. 6. 2026.
It's important to note this week's refund numbers do not include millions of EITC and ACTC refunds to these taxpayers. This means the refund numbers expected to be released Feb. 27, for refunds processed through Feb. 20, are expected to be higher. The IRS emphasizes it continues to see a strong filing season with refunds continuing to reach taxpayers as planned. This has been noted previously.
Moreover, large percentage changes in filing season numbers are usually seen at the beginning of each tax season. Historically, these numbers even out in future weeks as more tax returns come in. This table compares totals from early February 2026 with early February 2025. Because many taxpayers were still waiting for important tax documents at the end of January, the IRS expects the tax return filing numbers generally will catch up in the following weeks.
| Return/Refund category | 2025 | 2026 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total returns received | 23,589,000 | 22,351,000 | -5.2 |
| Total returns processed | 23,515,000 | 20,623,000 | -12.3 |
| Total e-filing returns received (may not equal subtotals due to rounding) | 23,134,000 | 22,035,000 | -4.8 |
| E-filing returns received from tax professionals | 8,700,000 | 7,865,000 | -9.6 |
| E-filing returns received from self-prepared | 14,434,000 | 14,170,000 | -1.8 |
| Web usage, IRS.gov visits | 93,763,000 | 126,789,000 | 35.2 |
| Total number of refunds | 8,054,000 | 7,403,000 | -8.1 |
| Total amount refunded | $16.635 billion | $16.954 billion | 1.9 |
| Average refund amount | $2,065 | $2,290 | 10.9 |
| Total number of direct deposit refunds | 8,052,000 | 7,595,000 | -5.7 |
| Total amount refunded with direct deposit | $17.432 billion | $18.135 billion | 4.0 |
| Average direct deposit refund amount | $2,165 | $2,388 | 10.3 |
[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.