Tax Refunds Up, Filings Down As Tax Season Starts

Early filers see larger refunds, but fewer returns filed so far this season

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The first week of the 2026 tax filing season shows a slower start for tax returns and IRS processing, but early filers are receiving larger refund checks than a year ago. The IRS received 5.2% fewer individual income tax returns and processed 12.3% fewer returns compared to the same period in 2025. However, the average tax refund is up 10.9% to $2,290 per taxpayer.

Why it matters

The slower start to the tax filing season, with fewer returns received and processed, could be an early indicator of more problems to come for the IRS. The agency has also faced challenges with missing tax forms and taxpayer complaints about the availability of needed documents. The increase in average refund amounts is a positive sign for early filers, but the overall decline in returns filed raises concerns about the efficiency of the tax filing process.

The details

The IRS received 22,351,000 individual income tax returns as of February 6, 2026, compared to 23,589,000 as of February 7, 2025, a 5.2% decline. Processing numbers show an even steeper drop, with the IRS processing 23,515,000 individual income tax returns as of February 6, 2026, compared to 20,623,000 as of February 7, 2025, a 12.3% decrease. The IRS has also faced challenges with missing tax forms and taxpayer complaints about the availability of needed documents for the current filing season.

  • The IRS opened the 2026 tax filing season and began accepting and processing federal individual income tax returns for tax year 2025 on January 26, 2026.
  • As of February 6, 2026, the IRS has received 22,351,000 individual income tax returns, compared to 23,589,000 as of February 7, 2025.
  • As of February 6, 2026, the IRS has processed 23,515,000 individual income tax returns, compared to 20,623,000 as of February 7, 2025.

The players

IRS

The Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. federal agency responsible for administering and enforcing federal tax laws.

Erin Collins

The National Taxpayer Advocate, who has referred to paper tax returns as the 'IRS' kryptonite'.

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What they’re saying

“We'll keep this guide updated as the season progresses. So check back. Or better yet, subscribe to our free tax newsletter—that way, the information you need will land in your email inbox each Saturday morning.”

— Kelly Phillips Erb, Author (Forbes)

What’s next

The IRS noted on its website that '[a]verage refund amounts are strong,' and the agency 'emphasizes it continues to see a strong filing season with refunds continuing to reach taxpayers as planned.'

The takeaway

The slower start to the 2026 tax filing season, with fewer returns received and processed, could be an early indicator of more challenges ahead for the IRS. However, the increase in average refund amounts is a positive sign for early filers, though the overall decline in returns filed raises concerns about the efficiency of the tax filing process.