Average tax refund is 11.2% higher, latest IRS filing data shows

The average tax refund is 11.2% higher this season, compared with about the same period in 2025, according to the latest IRS filing data.As of April 10, the average refund amount for individual filers was $3,397, up from $3,055 about one year ago, the IRS reported on Friday.The IRS data reflects about 114 million individual returns received, out of about 164 million expected through Tax Day. Next week's filing update is expected to include data through the April 15 deadline.President Donald Trump's 2025 legislation, rebranded to the "working families tax cuts," was a key talking point for Republicans on Tax Day. With the November midterm elections approaching and Republicans defending slim majorities in Congress, many GOP lawmakers have highlighted Trump's tax breaks and higher average refunds. Meanwhile, affordability has been top of mind for many Americans amid rising costs of gas, electricity, food and other living expenses.For filers who expected a refund this season, nearly one-quarter, or 23%, planned to use the funds to pay down credit card debt, and the same share said they would save the payment, according to the CNBC and SurveyMonkey Quarterly Money Survey, released in April. It polled 3,494 U.S. adults at the end of March."It's been a great tax season for the American people," many of whom have benefited from Trump's tax breaks, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said during a White House press briefing on Wednesday. More than 53 million filers claimed at least one of Trump's "signature new tax cuts" — the deductions for tip income, overtime earnings, seniors and auto loan interest — the Department of the Treasury also announced on Wednesday.Those filers, who claimed the deductions on Schedule 1-A, have seen an average tax cut of over $800, according to the Treasury. Tax cuts can trigger a higher refund or reduce taxes owed, depending on the filer's situation. Some filers who itemize tax breaks have also seen benefits from the bigger federal deduction limit for state and local taxes, known as SALT. Trump's legislation raised that cap to $40,000, up from $10,000, for 2025. The latest SALT deduction limit change is expected to primarily benefit higher earners, according to a May 2025 analysis of various proposals from the Tax Foundation. The Treasury has not released data on how many filers have claimed the SALT deduction during the 2026 filing season. Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you.Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inboxGet this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services.© 2026 Versant Media, LLC.

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