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2026 Filing season statistics — individual income tax returns
Cumulative statistics comparing March 21, 2025, and March 20, 2026.
| Return/Refund Category | 2025 | 2026 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total returns received | 79,616,000 | 78,893,000 | -0.9 |
| Total returns processed | 78,675,000 | 77,801,000 | -1.1 |
| Total e-filing returns received (may not equal subtotals due to rounding) | 77,266,000 | 77,574,000 | 0.4 |
| E-filing returns received from tax professionals | 40,120,000 | 39,738,000 | -1.0 |
| E-filing returns received from self-prepared | 37,146,000 | 37,836,000 | 1.9 |
| Web usage, IRS.gov visits | 244,432,000 | 380,292,000 | 55.6 |
| Total number of refunds | 55,716,000 | 56,729,000 | 1.8 |
| Total amount refunded | $179.469 billion | $202.595 billion | 12.9 |
| Average refund amount | $3,221 | $3,571 | 10.9 |
| Total number of direct deposit refunds | 53,778,000 | 57,281,000 | 6.5 |
| Total amount refunded with direct deposit | $176.591 billion | $203.960 billion | 15.5 |
| Average direct deposit refund amount | $3,284 | $3,561 | 8.4 |
[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.