IRS Says Early 2026 Refunds Up 11% as Trump Tax Law Drives Larger Gains for Higher‑Income Filers
Feb 17
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As of Feb. 6, 2026 the IRS reported the average refund is $2,290 — nearly 11% higher than at the same point last year — after processing about 22.4 million returns (down from 23.6 million a year earlier), and it expects totals to rise in its Feb. 27 update once Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit refunds are processed. Analysts say early-season averages are skewed toward lower‑income filers and typically peak in mid‑February before falling by April, but the broader increase has been attributed to tax changes signed into law last summer under President Trump, with the largest gains projected for the top 10% of households.
U.S. Tax Policy
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