Average Tax Refund Now Exceeds $3,700: Here’s How to Claim Your Check

The tax season in the United States is already underway, and millions of taxpayers are beginning to receive their refunds.

According to data shared by the White House and cited by The Center Square, nearly half of the Americans expected to file their tax returns have already done so, with many benefiting from new tax deductions.

So far, 63 million Americans have filed their 2025 tax returns, representing roughly 45% of the total taxpayers expected this season.

Why it matters: For millions of households, a tax refund represents an important injection of money that can help pay debts, cover daily expenses, or strengthen family budgets during times of economic pressure.

More than 40% of taxpayers have claimed at least one of the new tax reductions included in the law known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, a sweeping reform approved last summer that forms a central part of the current administration’s economic agenda.

The average IRS tax refund already exceeds $3,700

The most recent data shows the average refund now exceeds $3,700, reflecting the impact of recently implemented tax changes.

According to Frank Bisignano, taxpayers who have used at least one of the new deductions are receiving about $775 more on average in their refunds.

IRS Tax Refund 2026 Now Exceeds $3,700 – PHOTO: Shutterstock

These deductions are tied to several types of income that were previously subject to taxation.

The new legislation expanded and extended the tax cuts originally approved in 2017, introducing benefits aimed at workers, seniors, and certain consumers.

Among the measures included in the law are eliminating taxes on tips and overtime in certain cases, as well as introducing deductions related to specific loans.

Tax deductions increasing refunds this year

The One Big Beautiful Bill introduced several changes that directly affect the size of refunds taxpayers receive.

One of the most notable changes is a tax exemption for tips, allowing workers who earn tips to deduct up to $25,000 from their taxable income. So far, more than 3.5 million tax returns have used this provision.

Another key measure is the overtime deduction, which allows workers to subtract up to $12,500 in overtime income when calculating their taxes. According to the data released, more than 15.5 million returns have already used this deduction.

Tax benefits for seniors were also expanded, with an enhanced deduction claimed in more than 9.2 million tax filings.

IRS Tax Refund 2026 Now Exceeds $3,700 – PHOTO: Shutterstock

Additionally, the legislation introduced a deduction related to interest on loans for cars manufactured in the United States, which has been used in more than 690,000 tax returns so far.

Why some refunds may take longer

Although many taxpayers are already receiving their money, the process is not always immediate. There are several reasons why the Internal Revenue Service may delay issuing a refund.

One of the main reasons involves certain tax credits.

By law, the IRS cannot issue refunds tied to benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid-February.

This rule applies to the entire refund amount, not just the portion linked to those credits.

In some cases, the IRS may also need to verify additional information related to these benefits.

When that happens, the agency typically requests additional documentation from the taxpayer through an official letter, which can extend the processing time.

IRS Tax Refund 2026 Now Exceeds $3,700 – PHOTO: Shutterstock

How to check the status of your 2026 refund

Taxpayers who have already filed their returns can check the status of their refund using the IRS’s digital tools.

The process requires several pieces of information, including:

Social Security number or ITIN

Filing status

Exact refund amount expected

Corresponding tax year

Once this information is available, taxpayers can access the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on the IRS website or use the IRS2Go app.

In most cases, information appears within 24 hours after electronically filing a return. However, when a return is submitted on paper, the system may take up to four weeks to show the status.

Where is my IRS refund? The Internal Revenue Service began processing returns on January 26th; if your check was lost, stolen, or destroyed, there are ways to track it and request a replacement. https://t.co/KzShOGYZ8d

— N+ UNIVISION (@nmasunivision) February 17, 2026

The platform usually displays three stages of the process:

Return received

Refund approved

Refund sent

Once the IRS issues the payment, the deposit may take up to five business days to appear in the taxpayer’s bank account.

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What’s next for taxpayers

Tax season will continue over the coming weeks, and millions of taxpayers have yet to file their returns.

Meanwhile, preliminary data suggests that the recent tax changes are increasing the size of refunds for many households.

For those expecting their money, understanding how deductions work and how to track the payment can make the difference between waiting with uncertainty and closely monitoring the refund process.