Average Tax Refund Check Rises to $2,290 in 2026: How to Claim It
The 2026 IRS tax refund average has increased and could rise even more in the coming weeks. Here’s how to claim your refund.
Posted on 02/19/26 at 14:23
The Average IRS Tax Refund Check in the United States reached $2,290 as of February 6, 2026. That figure represents a 10.9% increase compared to the same period last year.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reported that the average refund rose from $2,065 recorded at the start of the previous filing season. The increase amounts to $225 more per taxpayer so far.
Why it matters:
The rise in the average refund check could ease budgets for millions of households. In recent years, refund amounts have tended to grow as the tax season progresses.
The IRS noted that current figures do not include millions of refunds tied to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). For that reason, the average is expected to increase once updated data is released later in February.
The agency also stated that tax season is moving forward smoothly and refunds are being issued as scheduled.
2026 Tax Refund Check by the Numbers
The 2026 tax season began on January 26. As of February 6, the IRS had received approximately 22.3 million returns.
That figure is 5% lower than the same period last year. However, it represents just 14% of the 164 million returns the agency expects to process this year.
By that date, more than 7.4 million refunds had been issued. That is 8.1% fewer than the 8.1 million refunds sent at the same point last year.
In 2025, the final average refund was $3,167, and about 63% of taxpayers received a refund check. The IRS says most people who file electronically can receive their money within 21 days.
The IRS will give higher refunds to these taxpayers in 2026.
— Noticias Telemundo (@TelemundoNews) February 18, 2026
What Could Increase Your Refund in 2026?
Tax cuts included in the One Big Beautiful Bill, signed by Donald Trump, could boost refunds for millions of Americans this year. An analysis cited by the House Ways and Means Committee estimates that the increase could reach up to $1,000 per taxpayer.
Among the changes:
- A higher standard deduction
- An enhanced Child Tax Credit
- A new deduction for seniors
These provisions could reduce tax bills by hundreds of dollars for tens of millions of households.
Some groups may see even greater savings. Certain tipped workers and overtime earners could benefit from reductions reaching thousands of dollars, according to cited estimates.
Principal Asset Management projects that the average refund could increase by nearly $700, reaching around $3,800 per taxpayer in 2026.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Discover Refund Checks and Assistance You Can Still Claim in February!
The Refund May Still Rise
Experts warn that early-season data can be misleading. In recent years, refunds started lower before climbing later in the filing season.
The federal tax filing deadline is April 15. As more returns are processed, the average refund amount could adjust upward.
To claim your refund check, taxpayers must file their return correctly and, if possible, submit electronically to speed up processing. The final amount depends on income, eligible credits, and deductions for each household.
Related post
