Average Tax Refund Up 11% to Over $3,400: Treasury Dept

More than 53 million filers claimed new Trump tax cuts, data shows

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:12pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of a stack of worn U.S. dollar bills, representing the tangible, physical nature of financial transactions and the real-world impact of tax policy changes.The Treasury Department's data on increased tax refunds and widespread use of new tax cuts suggests the reforms are having a measurable impact on Americans' personal finances.Washington Today

The average tax refund for filers this year is over $3,400, an 11% increase from last year, according to new data from the U.S. Treasury Department. The data also shows that over 53 million filers claimed at least one of President Trump's signature new tax cuts, including provisions from the sweeping tax legislation passed last year.

Why it matters

The increase in average tax refunds and the widespread use of new tax cuts are seen as signs that the Trump administration's tax reform efforts are having a tangible impact on American taxpayers' finances. This data provides insight into how the changes are affecting individuals and households across the country.

The details

The Treasury Department data, current as of Tuesday, shows that over 53 million filers claimed at least one of the new Trump tax cuts. This includes more than 25 million filers who claimed 'No Tax on Overtime,' with an average deduction of over $3,100, and more than 30 million seniors who claimed the 'Enhanced Deduction for Seniors,' with an average deduction of over $7,500. The data also indicates that more than 105 million filers have claimed the permanently doubled standard deduction.

  • Tax Day is Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the last day of this year's tax filing season.
  • The Treasury Department data is current as of Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Scott Bessent

Treasury Secretary

President Trump

The former president whose signature tax cuts are being widely claimed by filers

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Treasury and the IRS have worked tirelessly to ensure our tax system works for the people it is meant to serve. From the shop floor to the kitchen table, taxpayers are feeling the difference of the largest tax cuts in our nation's history, and millions of Americans are keeping more of what they earn and seeing their paychecks go further than ever before.”

— Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary

The takeaway

The significant increase in average tax refunds and the widespread use of new tax cuts introduced by the Trump administration suggest that the tax reform efforts are having a tangible, positive impact on the personal finances of millions of Americans. This data provides a glimpse into how the changes are affecting households across the country.