IRS data: Average tax refund hits $3,521

The latest IRS statistics show that, as of March 20, the average tax refund this year is $3,571, a 10.9% increase from last year’s average of $3,221.

The average refund via direct deposit is slightly lower, $3,561, an 8% increase from last year’s $3,284.

The IRS has issued 56.7 million refunds so far this tax season, up from 55.7 million last year. The total amount refunded is $202.6 billion, up from $179.5 billion last year.

The agency said it has received 78.9 million tax returns this year, down slightly from 79.6 million at this point last year.

The split between professional tax preparers and self-prepared forms is fairly even — 39.7 million and 37.8 million, respectively. See more key statistics.