2026 IRS Tax Refund Could Be Bigger – Here’s How to Check Yours

As with each year, the millions of individuals await their tax refunds and the initial figures indicate that there might be a lot of hearts cheer up. Recent statistics show that the average federal tax refund hit about 2,476 in the second week of February and this is equivalent to an increase of about 14 percent over last year. This growth is a relief to the already 12.96 million individuals who have already received the money in their accounts. But, on the interesting side, 13.66 million refunds are issued by the same period the previous year, so the amount of refunds 2011 is around 5 percent smaller. This implies that the per capita amount is increased but few have been refunded yet.

Direct Deposit Sees Slightly More Benefits

Average refunds being received by those that select direct deposit stands at 2,548, which is almost 13 percent higher compared to the previous year. The most popular one is direct deposit due to the rapid and safe accessibility to money. Nevertheless, there is a 2.6% decline in filing tax returns this year, 3.1% decline in processing, which has the possibility of increasing wait time on the part of some.

What’s the Real Reason Behind the Large Amount?

It is thought that this growth in refunds is because of some major changes in the tax law. The child tax credit was enlarged and the standard deduction was raised under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which was effective in July 2025 and ended federal taxes on tips and overtime earnings. These changes have been very critical especially to the service industry and overtime workers. To most families, the difference between amount withheld out of the wages and the actual taxpayable was higher leading to higher amounts of refund.

The Treasury Department reported that a majority of households would get approvals of up to $1,000 to $2,000 in additional refunds this year. Early statistics do not refute this estimate waiting on the full picture to be realized.

Tax Credit Data Not Yet Included

It is interesting to mention that these initial numbers do not yet take into account the full data of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). These two credits are normally linked with increased refunds. It is reasonable to expect that the average refund figure can grow even more in the new data, which will become available by the end of February.

How to Check Your Refund Status?

You made your filing, are waiting, the IRS Where in my refund? Checking is most readily done via tool. This is the feature of the IRS site and the IRS2Go application. You will be required to give your Social Security number, filing status and amount of the precise refund. The status should show Return Received and then Refund Approved and finally it shows Refund Sent. The e-file and direct deposit users usually get refund in 21 days whereas the paper filers can take up to 4 to 8 weeks to do so.

All in all, things are encouraging at a young age. You do not need to be panicked in case you are yet to file. Numbers tend to fluctuate during the start of the tax period. The more returns are handled the better the image will be–and you may have a little more money at the end of it, this time round.

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