Average tax refund now at $3,676 as 2026 filing deadline nears

The average tax refund is up by more than $350 year-over-year, according to data released by the IRS at the end of February. The data represents a 10.6% increase over refunds issued for the same time period in 2025.

So far in 2026, the average refund is worth $3,676, up from the $3,324 in 2025. The average refund for those who use direct deposit is slightly lower than the average refund overall, coming in at $3,668. Still, that’s up 8.6% over 2025’s $3,379.

However, the agency also expects the numbers to decline as tax season continues. Historically, tax refund averages tend to show big increases at the start of the season, before leveling out as the April 15 deadline approaches. Read more.